48 
THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
but because of its importance as a factor in the commercial world. He is 
found all along the coast, from Labrador to Florida, but rarely south of New 
Jersey, and the lobster fisheries do not extend south of New York. Stringent 
laws are enforced by all the New England States against the taking of lobsters 
except at certain seasons, when their flesh is marketable. The annual total 
catch of these creatures in the Northeastern States is valued at about one mil¬ 
lion dollars, the Maine coast producing more than that of any State because 
of the laxity of the laws relating to lobster catching. The principal means 
employed by the lobster fishers to take their prey is similar to that used by the 
crawfishers, viz., the sinking of lobster “pots,” constructed of laths made into 
wooden frames covered with heavy netting. A hole is left in either end, 
through which the lobster enters to the bait fixed in the centre. Several times 
each day these “ pots” are lifted and the lobsters taken before they can escape, 
as they never atttempt to do until the pot is lifted into the boat. 
A curious thing characteristic of the lobster is the annual shedding of his 
shell and the formation of a new one. The molting season is at the approach of 
summer, at which time he retires into a secluded spot, usually under a large stone, 
and there remains dormant until nature divests him of his old coat. This 
process is not dissimilar from that we observe in the bursting of the locust’s 
larvse and liberation of the fly. The lobster's carapax splits down the back 
centre, the rift gradually widening until the claw has shrunk sufficiently to 
permit its withdrawal through the arm opening, when the animal wriggles out 
of his old clothes, presenting a rather sorry and defenceless appearance. Being 
divested of his protective armor, he would speedily fall a prey to predaceous 
members of the crab family, or voracious fishes, if he exposed himself to their 
attacks, so, like a philosopher, he keeps indoors and awaits the formation of a 
new cuirass, which requires but a few weeks to complete, when he issues forth 
full of renewed life to continue his spoliation. Not every lobster is so wise as 
to remain concealed during the moulting season, for the weaknesses that are 
often perceived in mankind have their counterpart in the lower orders, and 
especially in the lobster. Not a few appear unconscious of their helpless con¬ 
dition, .and boldly issue out of their retreats to take their chances among the 
many hungry maws that are watchful for such opportunities as the uncovered 
lobster affords, and many sacrifice their lives to this indiscretion. 
Next to the lobster family, being very close in relationship, is that of the 
Hermit Crab, whose hereditary patronymic some learned classic says is 
paguridea , or shell-dweller. Of the many strange creatures that people the sea, 
none are more curious in their habits than the hermit crab. Nature never 
makes any mistakes without trying, at least, to atone for the omission; but 
when bringing forth this wonderful animal our good mother was possibly in a 
facetious mood, or else trying to determine how incongruous she could make a 
form. Her success at accomplishing the ludicrous must be conceded. 
Very often, when fishing in an arm of the sea with a shrimp bait, I have 
drawn up two, and as many as four, small hermit crabs at one time. To the 
person who meets with them in this wise, he will think it strange that peri¬ 
winkles would adhere to his bait, and unless he looks carefully he will be 
deceived as to what these “ periwinkles” are, for the crab is sly, and will let go 
the bait upon being drawn into a boat, and withdrawing into the shell will not 
stir, as if conscious of the effect of simulating death. When they think an 
