Since the limy covering to serve the purpose of protection is not soft enough to be alive and growing, it is evident that the crustacea are hampered in their growth by their crusty covering. During the first year the crawfish sheds its covering, or =molts= three times, and once each year thereafter. It grows very fast for a few days just after molting, while the covering is soft and extensible. Since it is at the mercy of birds, fish, and other enemies while in this soft and defenseless condition, it stays hidden until the covering hardens. Hence it cannot eat much, but probably by the absorption of water the tissues grow; that is, enlarge. In the intervening periods, when growth is impossible, it develops; that is, the tissues and organs change in structure and become stronger. “Soft-shelled crab” is a popular dish, but there is no species by that name, this being only a crab just after molting which has been found by fishermen in spite of its hiding. =General Questions.=--How do crawfish choose their food? How long can they live out of water? Why do their gills remain moist out of water longer than a fish? How do they breathe out of water? Are they courageous or cowardly animals? When they lose appendages when fighting or molting, they are readily reproduced, but the part molts several times in regaining its size. Have you seen crawfish with one claw smaller than the other? Explain. Compare the crawfish and crab (Figs. 81, 93, and 95) in the following particulars: shape, body, eyes, legs, abdomen, habitat, movement. KEY TO THE FOUR CLASSES IN BRANCH ARTHROPODS 1. INSECTS 3 body divisions, 6 legs 2. ARACHNIDS 2 body divisions, 8 legs 3. MYRIAPODS many body divisions, many legs 4. CRUSTACEANS gill breathers, skeleton (external) limy By the aid of the key and of figures 96-105, classify the following Arthropods: tick, thousand-leg centipede, king crab, pill bug, spider, scorpion, beetle. [Illustration: FIG. 96.--PILL BUG.] [Illustration: FIG. 97.--LADY BEETLE.] [Illustration: FIG. 98.--SCORPION.] [Illustration: FIG. 99.--TICK before and after feeding.] [Illustration: FIG. 100.--CENTIPEDE.] [Illustration: FIG. 101.--ONE SEGMENT OF CENTIPEDE with one pair of legs.] [Illustration: FIG. 102.--ONE SEGMENT OF THOUSAND LEGS with two pairs of legs.] [Illustration: FIG. 103.--THOUSAND LEGS.] [Illustration: FIG. 104.--A SPIDER.] [Illustration: FIG. 105.--KING CRAB.] =Illustrated Study.= CLASSIFICATION OF ARTHROPODS. Key on p. 61. CHAPTER VIII INSECTS THE GRASSHOPPER SUGGESTIONS.--Collect grasshoppers, both young and full-grown, and keep alive in broad bottles or tumblers and feed on fresh grass or lettuce. When handling a live grasshopper, never hold it by its legs, as the joints are weak. To keep them for some time and observe their molts, place sod in the bottom of a box and cover the box with mosquito netting or wire gauze.