30 OCTOBER 1999, Page 36

Claws and effect

From Mr John Hindle

Sir: Sift Simon seemed to enjoy his meal at Offshore (Restaurants, 16 October). What a pity he didn't know what he ate. Moreton Bay Bugs are not yabbies. Bugs are marine creatures, shovel-nosed lobsters (Ibacus incisus), sometimes called Balmain Bugs. Yabbies are fresh-water crayfish (Cherax). The bug looks scary but is harmless; how- ever, the ubiquitous little yabby can nip with its claws. As I recall:

A swaggy from Toon-bloody-gabby Was savaged to death by a yabby.

So unique was his fate That his sorrowing mate Had him buried in Westminster Abbey.

John Hindle

6/94-98 Wattletree Road, Annadale, Victoria, Australia