SIZE OF THE LOBSTEE. 783 



which we are now interested, is the largest of them all. Next in size, and of equal importance, is 

 the European species, Homarus vulgar is, which differs but slightly from our own, the rostrum 

 beiug narrower, and bearing teeth only on its upper margin, while in the former species the lower 

 margin of the rostrum is also armed with teeth. The third species belongs to the southern hemi- 

 sphere and attains a length of only about five inches. It is called Homarus capcnsis, and inhabits 

 the region of the Cape of Good Hope. We are not aware of its being used as food. 



NAME. For a common and widely distributed marine animal, the American Lobster is 

 surprisingly free from the long list of vernacular and local names which encumber some of our 

 most important industrial fishes, such as the menhaden. The simple term "Lobster" belongs to it 

 wherever it occurs, and in only a few rare instances have the fishermen dared to assert their well- 

 acknowledged right of adding, through its means, a new word to their already somewhat lengthy 

 and interesting vocabulary. On the coast of Rhode Island, Lobsters are sometimes called '' Sea- 

 craws," from their resemblance to the fresh-water Cray-fish ; and at Nautucket the young Lobster 

 is termed "Grass-hopper"; but such names are not much used, nor are they of importance to our 

 discussion. 



The different stages during the process of shedding and subsequent hardening of the new 

 shell and during spawning are designated by descriptive terms, such as "Black Lobster," "Soft- 

 shell," "Berried Lobster," etc., which are described in full further on. 



In and about Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, two varieties of Lobsters are recognized, and 

 these are distinguished as " School Lobsters" and "Rock Lobsters," or "Groundholders." 



DECREASE IN SIZE. Lobsters occur of all sizes up to about forty pounds weight, but the 

 average size of all Lobsters now caught for market is probably not above two pounds weight. 

 It is a well-attested fact that the average size, as well as the abundance of Lobsters, has steadily 

 decreased from year to year during the past twenty years, and the markets are now supplied with 

 a much smaller breed, so to speak, than formerly. Not that Lobsters grow less rapidly at the 

 present time than in previous years, or have become in any way dwarfed in size, but the avaricious 

 fishing which has been constantly carried on along almost the entire extent of their range has 

 caught up nearly all the larger individuals and reduced the bulk of those remaining, suitable for 

 market, to near the minimum prescribed by law, and there they will probably remain. Were the 

 spawning Lobsters carefully protected, and due respect paid to the laws limiting the size of 

 those taken for food, we might expect to find about as many Lobsters now as in any past time, 

 though they might average smaller in size; but such, unfortunately, is not the case. 



Just what the decrease in average size has been we have not sufficient data to determine; 

 but it has occurred so recently and has been so marked that no one who is familiar with the facts 

 can refuse to acknowledge it. A New Haven correspondent states that the average length of the 

 Lobsters sold in the markets there to-day is about ten and one-half inches and the average 

 weight about two pounds, against an average length of about thirteen inches and an average 

 weight of about three and one-half pounds twenty years ago. A Boston correspondent, who has 

 spent much time in studying the lobster question from a practical standpoint, writes that 

 "they decreased rapidly until the law was enacted regulating the size of those brought to 

 market, the enforcement of which arrested the apparent decrease. .1 would say here that the 

 effect of a law regulating the size of those saved for food is, after a time, to bring a very larga 

 majority of those offered for sale to about the legal limits, and an improvement can only be 

 looked for by increasing the limit from time to time." 



AVERAGE SIZE AT PRESENT. From many fishermen and lobster-dealers along the entire 

 New England coast we have solicited information as to the average size of Lobsters taken by 



