64 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



indeed. I have recorded a case wherein a h^bster of the eighth stage 

 whose color was cream-slate, being observed two days later, mani- 

 fested a marked salmon color. The lobster had not moulted between 

 the time of the observations, and moreover the salmon color per- 

 sisted through the eighth and ninth stages, at the end of which time 

 the observations were unfortunately brought to a close by the on- 

 coming winter season. Thus, in the following stages, we may ex- 

 pect to find a decided constancy manifested in adherence to a defi- 

 nite color pattern, easily observable in the same lobster through 

 many successive stages. As has been noted, this fact is shown 

 especially well in the development of "red lobsters," though it is 

 well demonstrated by observations made on many other varieties 

 more common. 



It may be here stated that methods devised at the Rhode Island 

 Fish Commission Hatchery at Wickford for rearing the young adult 

 lobsters past the fourth stage furnished excellent facilities for making 

 observations upon the changes in form and color in the later stages, 

 each individual lobster whose definite age and stage was known 

 being confined in its own separate apartment where observation 

 might be carried on from day to day. Insomuch as awnings were 

 raised over the cars containing the young lobsters, which occupied 

 a rather superficial position in the water, it is quite probable that 

 normal conditions of environment were produced and that none of 

 the color variations observed were due to the effect of bright sunlight, 

 which, as was demonstrated in some cases, was responsible for cer- 

 tain color changes in a large measure. The observations upon all 

 the stages were made while all the lobsters were under the same 

 conditions. 



Fifth Stage. 



The characteristic color of the fifth stage lobster is a rich brown 

 set off by light spots varying (except in the case of the body spots, 

 which are always white) in intensity from snow white to dirty yellow, 

 often marking definite muscle attachments, yet not infrequently 



