LOST ARMOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1924, Page 3

LOST ARMOUR.

SI’I.ITTT N(( I .OUSTED SAVED EDOM lIIS EDI ENDS. LONDON. May 9. As the Zoo Keeper put it, “Infernal vigilance is the price ol safety ' in the new Aquarium. The lishy exhibits are all sorted out with a view to preventing unequal lights and sudden death, but now and then there is an emergency. Due of the most anxious tanks to watch is that used by tin* marine i rawlisli or spiny lobsters (which become langouste in a French menu). Tlic Zuo was warned bv lorcign experts that they were almost impossible tkeep. The crawfish, it seems, lias a weakness for biting a friend on bis lightly-armoured quarterdeck. He then eats the disabled wreck. Again, now and then a sense ol lullii oss overtakes the creature. This comes to a crisis when something gives wav in the neighbourhood of the collarstud, the worn-out garment splits in the hack seam, and the whole suit of armour liecomos useless. Feeling very undressed, the sntt pink shellfish crawls out of a ga*h between his own shoulder-blades.

'lbis is the golden moment for the other crawfish. They wait until he has filleted himself, so to speak, and then they dine. This is where the vigilant keeper arrives with a net and dramatically rosettes the poor chap, who is popped into n reserve tank until lus new shell has hardened. In some cases this takes but twelve hours, bur in others weeks pass before the monitor can take up his social engagements.