Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-12

vided them with clothes which they could
throw off when they begin to fit too
Quick. Ii may easily ne seer. therefore,
that some of them grow to the length
of forty inches, beginning their career at
less than inch in length. the changing
must take place great many times.
''As nearly everybody knows continued
the dealer. tie lobster invariably leaves
the coast as the winter season advances,
and seeking the deep water. escapes the
extreme Geld weather and water. But. as
the spring approaches. back comes the lob
ster to the coast to feed GpGu the mollusl<s
and other sea foods that subsist in shallow
waters. The shedding process takes place
usually during the hottest months of the
fishermen while the operation is under way
but this seldom happens. as the lobster
usually hides away in the crevices of some
rocky bottom of the sea during the trans
formation
Has Good Judgment.
He shows considerable sense in this
matter of retiring at this period. for the
reason that he has practically no means of
defense. his embryonic claws being soft for
several days after he has pulled them out
of the old SHELLS; and were he to remain in
his usual haunts he would in all proba bill
ft-. be devoured by his fellow denizelis of
the sea COnnoisseurs of sea foods are very
partial to HOLSTERS that are about to shed
their armor. or Immediately after the Cpe-
ration has taken place. as the meat IS par
ticularIy hard and the favor more intense
during that period.
Il have made study of this particular
cruStacean. and have witnessed the dis
roblng and rObing operation on several oc-
casions. Up at my house I have an i'm
provlSed salt water aquarium which con-
talns considerable amateur collection
gathered AT various times during my con-
nection with the market business and sew
erai Holsters have used it as dressing
room
Watching the Act.
Il had long desired to witness one of
these operations of the toilet but I had
been unable to procure lobster that was
not too far advanced to be of any use,
when one day a specimen was brought to
my place of business that judging from his
actions, had reached the conclusion that
his old suit was becoming too small and a
new one was necessary. When placed upon
a table. he Immediately turned over on his
back, and at intervals Of perhaps five min
utvS. a Snudder ran through his entire
body. even to the Tins Of his claws and legs.
but the closest examination failed to reveal
any trace of the parting of the shell which
! Ead observed in specimens that were
farther advanced.
From his size and weight-he was rather
small thought that the shedding process
Wh1ch was about to take place would be
the nrst that he had undergone so l de-
termlned 10 SEQ the whole opera ton
through. l accordingly carried him home
and placed him in the aquarium. As soon
as ne was in the water he made a dash
Tor some shrimps which were in corner
OF me tank. After driving them away he
MADE an effort to get into an aperture
formed by some stones that 1 had placed
IN the same corner, but which was far too
small 10 allow him to get in.
After several futile attempts to force
MS body through the opening. he turned
over on his back and the shudders which
mad been so noticea BILE down town began
again These continued all night, and in
1he morning found my lobster apDarently