LOBSTER, an edible crustacean found on the coasts of the north Atlantic and Mediterranean. The name is sometimes loosely applied to any of the larger Crus tacea of the macrurous Decapo da, especially to such as are used for food.
The true lobsters, forming the family Homaridae, are distin guished by having the first three pairs of legs terminating in chelae or pincers. The first pair are large and massive. The common lobster (Homarus gammarus) is found on the European coasts from Norway to the Mediter ranean. The American lobster (H. americanus), which should perhaps be ranked as a variety rather than as a distinct species, is found on the Atlantic coast of North America from Labrador to Cape Hatteras. A third species, found at the Cape of Good Hope, is of small size and of no economic importance.
Both in Europe and in America the lobster is the object of an important fishery. It lives in shallow water, in rocky places and is usually captured in lobster-pots, or creels, made of wick erwork or of hoops covered with netting, and having funnel shaped openings permitting entrance but preventing escape. These traps are baited with pieces of fish, preferably stale, and are sunk on ground frequented by lobsters, the place of each being marked by a buoy. In Europe the lobsters are generally sent to market in the fresh state, but in America, especially in the northern New England States and in the maritime provinces of Canada, the canning of lobsters is an important industry. The
European lobster rarely reaches i o lb. in weight, though individ uals of 15 lb. have been found, and in America there are authen tic records of lobsters weighing 34 lb.
The Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is found, like the common lobster, from Norway to the Mediterranean. It is a smaller species, with long and slender claws and is of an orange colour, often beautifully marked with red and blue. It is found in deeper water and is generally captured by trawling.
The rock lobster, spiny lobster, or sea-crawfish (Palinurus vul garis) belongs to the family Palinuridae, distinguished from the Hoinaridae by the fact that the first legs are not provided with chelae or pincers, and that all the legs possess only six segments. The antennae are very long and thick. It is found on the southern and western coasts of the British Isles and extends to the Mediterranean. It is highly esteemed for the table, especially in France. Other species of the same family are used for food in various parts of the world, especially on the Pacific coast of North America and in Australia and New Zealand.
In Melbourne and Sydney the name of "Murray lobster" is given to a large species of crayfish (Astacopsis spinifer) which is much used for food. (See CRUSTACEA, MALACOSTRACA.) (W. T. C.)