72 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



During- the past summer a total of 112 lobsters, to which had 

 been fastened a small copper tag-, bearing- a number and the 

 words " Return to the Rhode Island Fish Commission," were lib- 

 erated at various times near Wickford lighthouse. Sixteen of the 

 tags were recovered, and the data concerning the migration are 

 given in the accompanying table. Although the greater number 

 of those returned had not wandered far, some had made their way 

 southward for several miles, and when recaptured were alreacty 

 outside the Bay. The lobster bearing the tag " 103," which was 

 caught one mile southwest of Beaver Tail, holds the' record up to 

 date for fast traveling, having covered a distance of 10 statute 

 miles in less than eight days. The method of tagging the lob- 

 sters is illustrated in the accompanying picture, reproduced from 

 the photograph, and a little under natural size. It is impossible, 

 of course, to be sure that all of these lobsters which were recap- 

 tured have been heard from, for in these experiments we must 

 depend entirely upon the courtesy of the lobster fishermen, who 

 may sometimes not take the trouble to return the tags. These 

 experiments have not been carried far enough to allow us to 

 arrive at any very general conclusions, but it is hoped that in the 

 coming seasons much more may be learned by this method, or an 

 improved one, concerning the movements of adult lobsters. 



