J. PISCICULTURE AND THE FISHERIES. 405 



that the coating of scales is unbroken in the one case, while 

 with the seine these are generally scraped off. Fish taken from 

 the seine, and salted after four hours, are often of little value ; 

 while those taken from nets will bear a delay of eight hours 

 without injury. Exposure to the atmosphere is also said to 

 be injurious, particularly with a southwest wind. 



FISH-CULTURE IN THE CASTALIA SPRINGS. 



It is a remarkable fact, and one having an important bear- 

 ing upon fish-culture, that the Castalia Springs, in Erie Coun- 

 ty, Ohio, have been found to be admirably suited to the 

 growth and culture of the trout and young salmon. These 

 springs are of great size and uniform temperature, and flow 

 throughout the year. At three to six feet below the surface 

 the thermometer indicates 48. What is peculiar in these 

 waters is the immense amount of mineral substance they con- 

 tain, a single gallon holding in solution ninety-four grains of 

 solid matter and eighty-four cubic inches of carbonic acid 

 gas. The bicarbonate of lime constitutes fifty-seven per cent, 

 of the whole, the sulphates of lime and magnesia coming 

 next. Bicarbonate of lithia is also found in considerable 

 quantity. The water of these springs has never been used 

 as a therapeutic agent, but there seems to be no reason why 

 it should not be as serviceable as many others of much re- 

 pute. 7 D, November, 1873, 169. 



DECREASE OF LOBSTERS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST. 



The subject of the decrease of lobsters on the North Atlan- 

 tic coast has excited much apprehension of late, especially in 

 view of the demand for this crustacean for canning. Con- 

 certed measures are now being taken by parties interested, 

 both in the New England States and in the Provinces, to 

 regulate the capture of lobsters by limiting the size of those 

 that may be taken and disposed of; or by a prohibition of 

 the capture of females for a part or the whole of the season ; 

 or by the establishment of a period of close time, during 

 which none may be captured. A favorite restriction is that 

 of weight, the limit of a pound and a half being proposed. 

 As, however, the lobsters in some parts of the country scarce- 

 ly reach that weight, even at an advanced age, proper care 

 must be taken not to have too large a minimum. 



