78 
behind, the caudal plates large. The clawlegs straitened, 
the moveable finger large, but not met by a corresponding 
portion in opposition. The following legs one-fingered, 
those of the second pair having the next to the last articula- 
tion large and ciliated. 
G. Ste.llata. M. Edwards’ Crust., vol. 2, p. 313. 
Leach’s Malac., pi. 31. 
G. Deltura. M. Edwards’ Crust., vol. 2, p. 214. Leach’s 
Malac., pi. 31. 
I find what appears to me to be the latter species, in abun- 
dance in Ray fishes (Raia Maculata and R. Clavata) caught 
in from 30 to 50 fathoms of water. 
ASTACIANS — SHRIMPS and LOBSTERS. 
GENUS HOAfARUS : the rostrum armed with a few spines 
on each side ; scale of the outer antennae very small and 
like a tooth. The hands large, ovate, compressed. 
LOBSTER. 77. Vulgaris. M. Edwards’ Crust., vol. 2, p. 
334. Astacus Marinus, Pennant, pi. 10, fig. 21. 
Lobsters are common among the borders of not very elevated 
rocks, from close to the shore to the depth of about 20 fathoms. 
It is certain that they are less abundant at present than about 
the beginning of the present century ; for whilst now, with an 
hundred pots, a dozen in a day is regarded as tolerable success, 
persons now living have caught above an hundred in the same 
space, and in one instance an hundred and forty seven. One 
fisherman has taken G40 in a week, where now another has se- 
cured only 300 in a season. The reason assigned for this falling 
off is that the fishery for congers is not followed as formerly ; 
and it is certain that this fish feeds eagerly on them. Perhaps 
however, too little is ascribed to the increased demand in the 
market, and the consequent extension of the fishery ; for the 
number of edible crabs has also diminished within the few 
years that an advanced price has been obtained for them. On 
the coast of Scotland, where it does not appear that fishes 
likely to destroy them are less abundant than with us. Lobsters 
are in great multitudes; for Sir Wm. Jardine informs us that 
at Montrose, from GO, 000 to 70,000 are annually sent to Lon- 
don, at the rate of 2^d. for each Lobster of full size. 
Lobsters do not wander much from their accustomed haunts, 
and hence the discovery of a new station is a fortunate circum- 
stance for the fisherman ; and each situation is found to im- 
press its own shade of colour on the shell. The same means 
are employed in fishing for Lobsters as for Crabs; but whilst 
the Crab prefers bait perfectly fresh, the Lobster is attracted 
by that which has hung up to become tainted, or has been pre- 
served by salting. Some other particulars of this fishery are 
given when speaking of the common crab. 
