OF FISH. 
295 
great variety of beautiful tints and curious forms, many 
of which are highly valued in collections. 
Lobster. (PI. 51.) The common lobster has a 
smooth thorax; short serrated snout, very long antennae, 
and between them two shorter ones; bifid claws, and 
fangs large, the greater tuberculated, the lesser serrated 
on the inner edge; four pair of legs, six joints in the tail; 
tail fins rounded. The pincers of one of the lobster’s, 
large claws are furnished with knobs, and those of the 
other are always serrated. With the former it keeps 
firm hold of the stalks of submarine plants, and with the 
latter it cuts and minces its food very dexterously. The 
knobbed, or numb claw, as the fishermen call it, is some- 
times on the right, and sometimes on the left side indif- 
ferently. It is more dangerous to be seized by them 
with the cutting claw than the other ; but in either case, 
the quickest way to get disengaged from the creature is 
to pull off its claw. 
Like the rest of their tribe, they annually cast their 
shells. Previously to their putting off the old one, they 
appear sick, languid, and restless. They acquire an en- 
tirely new covering in n few days; but during the time 
that they remain defenceless they seek some lonely place, 
lest they should be attacked atid devoured by such of 
their brethren as are not in the same weak situation. 
At the same time that they cast their shell they change 
also their stomach and intestines. 
These animals are found on most of the rocky coasts 
of Great Britain. Some are caught with the hand, but 
the greater quantity in pots ; a sort of trap formed like 
a wire mouse-trap, so that when the lobster gets in, there 
is no return. They are fastened to a cord sunk into the 
sea, and their place is marked by a buoy.— They were 
caught in such plenty on the coast of Northumberland, 
that about the year 1769, the sum paid for the annual 
exports from Newbiggen and Newton by sea, amounted 
to near fifteen hundred pounds. 
Soldier Crab. (PI. 51.) The hands or feelers of 
this shell fish are smooth and hairy, the left one largest. 
The tail is furnished with a hook, by which it secures 
