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Lobsters, like [[insect]]s, are [[arthropod]]s. Their sub-phylum is called [[Crustacea]], because they have a shell. However, their [[nervous system]] is very like that of insects, and [[Maine]] lobster fishermen call them ‘bugs’. 150 million year-old [[fossil]] lobsters are so similar to today’s lobsters that if one was served for dinner you would not notice the difference. <ref> The Secret Life of Lobsters, by Trevor Corson, pub. Harper Perennial 2005, ISBN 0060555580</ref>

'''Lobsters''', like [[insect]]s, are [[arthropod]]s. Their sub-phylum is called [[Crustacea]], because they have a shell. However, their [[nervous system]] is very like that of insects, and [[Maine]] lobster fishermen call them ‘bugs’. 150 million year-old [[fossil]] lobsters are so similar to today’s lobsters that if one was served for dinner you would not notice the difference. <ref> The Secret Life of Lobsters, by Trevor Corson, pub. Harper Perennial 2005, ISBN 0060555580</ref>

The best-known lobster is ''Homarus americanus'', but there are about fifty species. Some of them have interesting and unusual names, such as the hunchback locust lobster, the velvet fan lobster, the regal slipper lobster, the marbled mitten lobster, the musical furry lobster, the unicorn lobster, the buffalo blunt-horn lobster, the African spear lobster, the Arabian whip lobster and the rough Spanish lobster.  

The best-known lobster is ''Homarus americanus'', but there are about fifty species. Some of them have interesting and unusual names, such as the hunchback locust lobster, the velvet fan lobster, the regal slipper lobster, the marbled mitten lobster, the musical furry lobster, the unicorn lobster, the buffalo blunt-horn lobster, the African spear lobster, the Arabian whip lobster and the rough Spanish lobster.  

Two hundred years later, the insult meant somebody was a fool.  

Two hundred years later, the insult meant somebody was a fool.  

Now, lobsters are a luxury item, but early [[New England]] settlers considered them junk food. William Bradford, leader of a group of early settlers, reported shame at having to serve lobster to guests instead of more respectable food. In those days of plenty, storms blew hundreds onto the beach, where farmers used them for animal feed or fertilizer. Fishermen still ate lobster though, because most fish they caught were too valuable to eat but lobster was cheap. <ref> The Secret Life of Lobsters, by Trevor Corson, pub. Harper Perennial 2005, ISBN 0060555580</ref>

Today, lobsters are a luxury item, but early [[New England]] settlers considered them junk food. William Bradford, leader of a group of early settlers, reported shame at having to serve lobster to guests instead of more respectable food. In those days of plenty, storms blew hundreds onto the beach, where farmers used them for animal feed or fertilizer. Fishermen still ate lobster though, because most fish they caught were too valuable to eat but lobster was cheap. <ref> The Secret Life of Lobsters, by Trevor Corson, pub. Harper Perennial 2005, ISBN 0060555580</ref>

==Lobster senses==

==Lobster senses==

==Lobsters in the Surrealist movement==

==Lobsters in the Surrealist movement==

Lobsters were popular in the Surrealist movement of the early 20th century – apparently more for the inherent absurdity of their shape than any other reason. The Dadaist poet Hugo Ball read his poem Karawane in 1916 on stage at the Cabaret Voltaire, wrapped in brightly colored cardboard, wearing a tall, striped wizard's hat and cardboard lobster claws on his hands. The wealthy and eccentric English poet and art collector Edward James commissioned Dali’s four 1936 Lobster Telephones. However, although Dali thought of surrealist objects as “absolutely useless from the practical and rational point of view”, they functioned perfectly as telephones. <ref>http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070329055918.joodx8y0&show_article=1&cat=0</ref>

 

Following the example of the French poet Gérard de Nerval, who owned a pet lobster which he took for walks through Paris, and described them as "peaceful, serious creatures, who know the secrets of the sea, and don't bark", lobsters became popular in the [[Surrealism|Surrealist]] movement of the early 20th century – apparently more for the inherent absurdity of their shape than any other reason. The [[Dadaism|Dadaist]] poet Hugo Ball read his poem Karawane in 1916 on stage at the Cabaret Voltaire, wrapped in brightly colored cardboard, wearing a tall, striped wizard's hat and cardboard lobster claws on his hands. The wealthy and eccentric English poet and art collector Edward James commissioned [[Salvador Dali]]’s four 1936 Lobster Telephones. However, although Dali thought of surrealist objects as “absolutely useless from the practical and rational point of view”, they functioned perfectly as telephones. <ref>http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070329055918.joodx8y0&show_article=1&cat=0</ref>

==References==

==References==

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