738 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



torn, they can escape their enemies with comparative ease, partly on account of their quicker 

 motions and partly by hiding between the stones. 



"These experiments have, therefore, not only thrown considerable light on the natural history 

 of the lobster, but they have also given practical hints how it may be possible to further the 

 lobster fisheries by adopting regulations for their protection, and by establishing in suitable 

 localities hatching-places where the young can be protected during the first stages of their 

 development. To keep the young lobsters in inclosed sheets of water till they are large enough to 

 become salable will scarcely pay. 



"One of our largest exporters of lobsters on the western coast has tried to keep large quan- 

 tities of grown lobsters in an inclosed sheet of water, feeding them and waiting for the time when 

 it would be most profitable to ship them ; but it soon became evident that the expenses were too 

 great. 



" These experiments will be continued during the present year with the aid of the Royal 

 Society for Furthering the Industries of Norway."* 



The celebrated Norwegian naturalist, Prof. G. O. Sars, who has devoted much time to the 

 study of the European lobster, visited the above locality in 1875, and reported very favorably 

 upon the experiments being made there. Concerning them he writes as follows : 



" There is another point which I must briefly mention, viz, the artificial raising of lobsters. 

 I have in another place expressed my opinion that this is a subject which possibly in the future 

 may prove a very important aid to our lobster fisheries. The exceedingly simple manner in which 

 the artificial raising of lobsters can be carried on seems to encourage people in different places to 

 make experiments in this direction. Mr. Hansen, a merchant of Akrevig, assisted by Mr. Olsen, 

 superintendent of schools at Kobbervig, has already made several experiments, which, on the 

 whole, have proved successful. During my journey of last summer I visited the place and 

 examined the hatching apparatus, which had already produced a large number of young lobsters. 

 Mr. Hansen has determined to make a kind of lobster park, where the young lobsters, after their 

 metamorphosis is completed, may live and develop. I consider these experiments of great impor- 

 tance, and would like to see Mr. Hausen receive sufficient aid from the Government to enable him 

 to carry them on on a larger scale and in a practical manner." t 



PARKING IN THE UNITED STATES. In the United States, the best results have been 

 obtained in connection with the so-called "parking" of lobsters that is to say, their protection 

 in large, inclosed natural basins, primarily for the purpose of perfecting them for market, and of 

 retaining conveniently at hand, at all seasons, a large reserve stock for supplying the market 

 demands. In these parks the young lobsters taken by the fishermen are allowed to attain the 

 adult size, the soft-shelled individuals to become hardened, and injuries to be repaired. It is 

 needless to state that under such natural conditions, the breeding habits must continue more or 

 less normal and large quantities of spawn be hatched. That much of the spat thus obtained grows 

 into full-sized lobsters and adds very materially to the population of the park, is a question which 

 has not been satisfactorily settled. If lobsters can be profitably raised from spawn in parks of 

 this character, their usefulness cannot be doubted, and the matter of artificial breeding might 

 become comparatively simple. As elsewhere discussed, however, the question of profit and loss 

 is one for serious consideration to the lobster breeder, and if every lobster he raises costs him 



* Om Forsog raed Kunstig Udklaekning af Hummer, Ny Eaekke of Tidsskrift for Fiskeri, 2 Aargang, pp. 184- 

 188, 1875. 



t Indbere tninger til Departmentet for det Indre fra Prof. Dr. G. O. Sars, om de af bam i Aarene 1874-1877 anstil- 

 lede Undersogelservedkommende Saltvands-fiskerierae. Christiania. 1878. 



