18G BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISIT COMMISSION. 



Conclusions. — From tbe foregoing facts I conclude as follows: 



(1) The fisli-culture practiced for many years at Val Xova j)roves be- 

 yond a doubt the suitableness of the lagoon of Caorle for constructing 

 inclosed fish ponds. 



(2) The tract selected for the inclosuie of new grounds offers every 

 condition necessary for insuring happy and very remunerative results. 



^3) The swamp of Dossetto is the best of all the localities visited by 

 )n<' for constructing pares for raising oysters. 



(4) Oysters are reproduced along the coast of Caorle, and in the Caiuil 

 Canadare, for whicli reason it would be well if Messrs. Grego could obtain 

 exclusive control of the fisheries, at least in one of the localities, which, 

 owing to the proximity of the Dossetto swamp, are well adapted to the 

 reproduction of oysters. 



(5) In the waters of Caorle there is also found the MytiJus (jallopro- 

 vincialis, and it is possible that the cultivation of this mollusk could also 

 be carried on successfully. 



(G) It is necessary that the Government should issue strict orders for 

 the better observance of thefisherj- laws, so as to avert the dangers re- 

 sulting from the destruction of the young oysters, and this not only in 

 the interest of cultivators, but for the preservation of the species. 



56.— A KEASOlVBIVtfJ a.OBf^TEK. 



By ^¥II.I.AKI> r^'¥.lS, Jr. 



While at Bird Island, Buzzard's Baj-, Massachusetrs, I noticed what 

 seemed to i^oint at reason rather than instinct in the lobster. One had 

 his home for the time in a hole under a rock, where the water was about 5 

 feet deep. Thinking to catch him, 1 made a noose at the end of a fish- 

 liiie, and by means of a stick spread it carefully around the liole ; then 

 let down a piece of menhaden, holding it 6 or 8 inches away in front. 

 The lobster soon reached out to take such a nice morsel, when, by .jerk- 

 ing the string, I had him noosed around one of his big claws near the 

 end ; but after I had him half out of his hole the string slipped otf and he 

 got back. However, I had no doubt of catching him the next time, so, 

 s] treading the noose as carefully as before, and again letting down the 

 ])iece of meidiaden, 1 awaited results, when, instead of boldly putting 

 out his claws as before, he first put his feelers through the noose, 

 and, with a waving motion, felt the string all the way around, then 

 ])nshed one claw under the string and grabbed the bait. Three or four 

 tijues 1 tried him with the same result, lie fiist carefully felt the noose 

 all around, then rooted one claw under tlie string and secured the bait. 

 I filially had to give up all thoughts of getting him, and came away 

 firmly believing that until this fellow dies of old age the lobster will 

 not be exterminated in our waters. 



New Bedfoud, Mass., illay 10, 188G. 



