(From Brit. Mus. Guide)

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The so-called "Norway Lobster" (Nephrops norvegicus—[Plate XXX].), the "Dublin Prawn" of the London fishmongers, is a smaller and much less valuable species than the common Lobster. It may be recognized at once by its long and slender claws, furnished with rows of tubercles or blunt spines, and by the sculptured markings on the somites of the abdomen. When alive it is of an orange colour, beautifully marked with red and white. It differs considerably in its habits from the common Lobster, living at a considerably greater depth (30 to 60 fathoms in Norway), and on a muddy bottom. It is generally taken by trawling, and is captured in large quantities by trawlers fishing in various parts of the North Sea. Since it must be cooked soon after it is caught, and cannot easily be brought to market alive like the common Lobster, only a small number of those actually caught are made use of. Formerly most of those sold in London were caught in the Irish Sea (whence the name of "Dublin Prawn"), but the North Sea is now the chief source of supply. The species is found in suitable localities from Norway to the Mediterranean, and is especially abundant in the Adriatic, where it is caught and sold in Venice and elsewhere under the name of "Scampo."

The Spiny Lobster, Rock Lobster, or Sea-crawfish (Palinurus vulgaris—[Plate V].), is common on the south and south-west coasts of the British Islands, becoming rare in the north, although specimens have been found as far north as Orkney, and there is a single record of the species from the West of Norway. It is far less commonly used for the table in this country than in France, where it is known as "Langouste" and is very highly esteemed.

Various species of Spiny Lobsters belonging to the same family (Palinuridæ) as the European species are found in different parts of the world. In tropical countries the species of Panulirus are commonly used for food (for example, P. interruptus in California and P. fasciatus in India), as are species of Jasus in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Recently a consignment of Spiny Lobsters (Jasus lalandii) was sent to the London market from the Cape, but it appears that the experiment was not altogether successful.

Belonging to the same tribe (Nephropsidea) as the Lobsters are the fresh-water Crayfishes. The English Crayfish (Astacus pallipes) is common in many rivers as far north as Lancashire, and in some parts of Ireland, but is not found in Scotland. It is not much esteemed for the table, and although small numbers are sent to Billingsgate, chiefly from Leicestershire, they are said to be used only for garnishing dishes. The same species occurs on the Continent of Europe, chiefly in the west and south (France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and the Balkan Peninsula). It is known in France as "Écrevisse à pattes blanches" (from the whitish colour of the under-side of the large claws), and in Germany as "Steinkrebs," and is distinguished, among other characters, by the shape of the rostrum ([Fig. 77], B), which has a tooth on each side close to the point. Far more important as an article of food is the larger Astacus fluviatilis, the "Écrevisse à pattes rouges" or "Edelkrebs," which is found in France, Germany, Austria, Southern Sweden, Russia, etc. In this species the under-side of the large claws is generally of a fine red colour, and the rostrum ([Fig. 77], A) has a pair of side-teeth about the middle of its length, and a long slender point. The red-clawed Crayfish is an important article of commerce on the Continent, and is sent to the London market in considerable numbers, chiefly from Germany and South-West Russia. In France it is cultivated for the market in "Crayfish farms" on a large scale.

Fig. 77—Rostrum and Fore Part of Carapace, seen from Above, of (A) Red-clawed Crayfish (Astacus fluviatilis) and (B) White-clawed or English Crayfish (Astacus pallipes)

A species of Crayfish (A. leptodactylus) occurring in the Lower Danube and in other rivers flowing into the Black Sea sometimes finds its way to the London market, although it is less valued than the red-clawed species. It is distinguished by its long and slender claws, by the spiny edges of the rostrum, and by other characters. A fourth species (A. torrentium), occurring chiefly in Central Europe, is very closely allied to A. pallipes, and, like it, is of little value for the table.