fishermen, they sometimes attain an immense size, and have been found
from eighteen inches to upwards of two feet in length. Apicius, who
ought to be the patron saint of epicures, made a voyage to the coast of
Africa on hearing that lobsters of an unusually large size were to be
found there, and, after encountering much distress at sea, met with a
disappointment. Very large lobsters are at present found on the coasts
of Orkney. Some naturalists affirm (Olaus Magnus and Gesner,) that in
the Indian seas, and on the wild shores of Norway, lobsters have been
found twelve feet in length, and six in breadth, which seize mariners in
their terrible embrace, and, dragging them into their caverns, devour
them. However this may be, the lobsters and crabs for being devoured are
best when of the middle size, and when found on reefs or very rocky
shores.

* * * * *

THE INVISIBLE HAIR.

A monk was showing the relics of his convent before a numerous assembly;
the most rare, in his opinion, was a hair of the Holy Virgin, which he
appeared to show to the people present, opening his hands as if he were
drawing it through them. A peasant approached with great curiosity, and
exclaimed, "but, reverend father, I see nothing." "Egad, I believe it"
replied the monk, "for I have shown the hair for twenty years, and have
not yet beheld it myself."

* * * * *

CURIOSITY CURED.