The well-known and delicious shell-fish, the Lobster, is found in great abundance in all the northern parts of Europe. The north of Scotland is famous for the Lobster, but it is still more plentiful on the coast of Norway. The crab is more frequently found in shallow water, but the Lobster prefers those spots where the water is of considerable depth. The methods of taking Lobsters are various,—the most usual is by means of what are called Lobster-pots; these are a sort of trap, formed of twigs, and baited with garbage; they are made like a wire mouse-trap, so that when the Lobsters get in there is no possibility of returning. These pots are fastened to a cord, and sunk in the sea, their place being marked by a buoy. Another method of taking them is by means of a kind of bag-net, baited with animal substances. This fishery is only carried on in the night. They are brought in vast quantities to the London market from the Orkneys and from the Norway coast.
Lobsters are much alarmed at the noise of thunder, or any other sudden shock; the consequence of which is, that in their fright, they frequently cast their claws. This also often happens when the poor creatures are thrown into the boiling-pot. As these animals frequent clear water, their habits have been more noticed than those of the crab. Their mode of feeding is sufficiently curious. In general, the pincers of one of the large claws are furnished with knobs, while the other large claw is more like a saw on its edge; holding, then, its food in the knobbed claw, it dexterously pulls it to pieces with the other. Their movements in the water are exceedingly graceful and lively, and they are capable of darting forward to a considerable distance with the rapidity of the flight of a bird. Their colour, when in their native element, is not black as might be imagined, but a beautiful deep blue.
A whimsical idea of the horror Lobsters are said to have of pigs, seems to have prevailed in some parts of the Continent. It is said that in Brandenburgh, where the fishery is very abundant, the wagoners who transport them by land are obliged to keep watch during the night, to prevent swine from passing the wagon, for if one only was to go by, they say, not a single Lobster would be alive in the morning!
The River Cray-Fish, (Potamobius fluviatilis.)
The fresh-water Cray-fish very much resembles the lobster in appearance, but is considerably broader in its proportions. It is commonly found in the tributary streams of large rivers, inhabiting the banks, in which it burrows, and feeding on any animal substance that may happen to come in its way.
The Cray-fish is taken in various ways, sometimes by the hand, which is thrust into the holes in which they burrow. Another method is thus described:—
Procure a dozen little rods, about five feet in length, and the thickness of the thumb,—split them at the smallest end, and by way of bait, place a frog, or a piece of putrid flesh in the cleft; take then the rods by their thickest end, and hold the bait at the entrance of the little holes where you suspect your prey to be; if they are there, they will generally come out to seize the bait. As soon as you perceive them, hold a small landing-net underneath, and raise the bait suddenly, and the Cray-fish will either be brought up along with the bait, or will fall back into the net.
Another method noticed, consists in first burying a dead cat, or a hare, in a dunghill, for eight days, and then placing it in the midst of a bush of tangled thorns and brambles, which is thrown into the water, in the place frequented by the Cray-fish. After it has remained there a few hours it may be drawn up, when the shell-fish will be found partaking of their delicate fare, and the tangled bush will effectually prevent their escape.
The Phosphorescent Shrimp.
The luminous appearance of the ocean at night is a fact well-known to all who have been a voyage by sea; and it has been ascertained, that the causes of this beautiful phenomenon are the phosphorescent properties which are possessed by many of the smaller inhabitants of the deep. Among these, the little animal, figured above, is very frequently met with.