Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-06-30
Something about Lobsters.

AS the season for enJoplng the luxury Of
Holsters is at hand, and as the question is of
ten asked why some are made sick by eating
them, | would simply say, first, that it may be
caused dy eating too much and secondly, by
eating Holsters too long after boiling All
who wish to preserve the lobster as a luxury
should be very. cautious in eating them, for if
once made sick by them, the result would be
almost if not entirely fatal to their fondness fol-
them afterwards.
While upon the subject of Holsters, | will,
for the satisfaction of the curious, drop few
ideas with regard to the shedding their shell,
a fact not generally known. 1t is supposed by
some that this change, viz, shedding the shell,
happens once year, and by others, once in a
certain number of years, neither of which is
correct. The fact is, this change is indispen-
sable to their growth, and it is therefore rea-
sonable to suppose that young Holsters under
GO this change oftener than the old. 1t occurs
generally in dogdays, at the time when their
growth requires it, until they attain their full
size, from which time they retain their old
coat. The circumstances attending the change
are as follows:
AS the time approaches for the lobster to
undergo this change the old shell being too
close-nature commences the formation of a
new shell inside the old at the same time, the
old shell begins to change, its appearance re-
sembling that of decomposition.
A few days before leaving the old shell, the
lobster secures itself in the mud, or under a
rock where it remains in a safe though help
less state, being taught by instinct to guard
against enemies. The shell finally opens on
the back by means of seam, which enables it
to be put into any form without difficulty. AS
soon as the lobster is entirely free from his old
shell, he resumes his natural form, and also
receives an increase Of size. In this situation
it could be moulded into almost any form that
would not produce death, and kept till perfect
ly hard. Hence the deformity of Holsters, ma
ny being injured while in the pulpy state
And it is fact that notwithstanding the old
shell was crowded in reformation of the new,
the lobster has an abundance Of room, and it
is several years before the shell'is again COM
pletely filled. This explains why all Holsters
are not equally full.
Another singular fact connected with the his
tory of the lobster is this When it loses a
claw or leg another will come in its place
There is, however, but one point from which
the limb will germinate, and that is seam
near the body But what is astonishing is,
that they appear to have the power to drop
their claws or legs at will, which enables them
when neized by the claw or leg and held, to
drop either of those limbs and thus make their
escape. When they receive a slight injury
they retain the claw or leg injured, but in case
of severe wound, which renders the limb use
less as well as painful, and likely to produce
death by bleeding or otherwise, they immedi-
ately drop the limb, and thus free themselves
from pain and danger. After the limb is drop
ped, the blood spins out for few seconds in
a small stream, whence may be seen, not long
after, sprout making its appearance, similar
to common vegetables. Ifthe lobster is young
and thrifty, the new limb will attain the size
and beauty of the original, but, if otherwise ii
will be smaller and not so well proportioned.
Portland Transcript.