THE LOBSTER. 



129 



to the lobster's breast, or thorax. Now we come to 

 the head, which is provided with six pairs of hangers-on, 

 or appendages. The two back pair belonging to the 

 head are called maxilla, because they lie at the side of 

 the month and are like jaws. The hindmost of the jaws, 

 or maxilla, on each side has a boat-shaped or oval plate, 

 which lies at the front entrance of each of the two 

 side-chambers, about which you will hear more present- 

 ly. The ends of the front pair of little jaws (maxil- 

 lae) are leafy, like those of the front pair of foot-jaws 

 (maxillipedes). Now we come to the jaw itself, or 

 mandible (Fig. 109). You see it has strong teeth, and 

 bears a small appendage — the palp. The true jaws 

 (mandibles) lie at the sides of the mouth (Fig. 109). 

 From all this you see that the mouth of the lobster is 

 well armed with teeth and scissors, to tear and cut its 

 food. Counting from the front, it has first the true 

 jaw (mandible), then the two pairs of little jaws (max- 

 illae), and these are followed by three pairs of foot- 

 jaws (maxillipedes), altogether six pairs, which are all 

 turned up against the mouth, making the old fellow 

 look as though he had the toothache. In front of the 

 jaw are two very long-jointed feelers, called antennae 

 (Figs. 109 and 113) ; but you seldom see them at their 

 full length, for they are easily broken. Next to the 

 feelers (antennas) are two little feelers, or antennules 



