APPENDIX. 123 



able places was found. If the lobsterlings were poured out at the 

 edge of the water where the shore was composed of white or light 

 colored rocks, the majority of them would swim out from the shore 

 while still near the surface, and apparently the result would be 

 similar to liberating in deep water. If the shore, however, afforded a 

 dark background, especially if this was occasioned by eel-grass, algce, 

 or seaweed of some sort, the lobsters would disappear, and close 

 scrutiny would reveal most of them lodging in the branches of the 

 weeds and following the stems down to the bottom. Some fry, of 

 course, would swim out, due mostly to the reaction from being 

 in confinement. Most of them, however, would soon go to the bottom. 



LIBERATION OF FIFTH AND LATER STAGES. 



As has already been shown, the exact time when the lobster fry 

 leave off swimming, except when disturbed, varies somewhat. The 

 majority of lobsters in the fourth stage, when confined in cars, do 

 build burrows, and perhaps swim about only when in search of food 

 or upon some other stimulus; many will, however, keep swimming 

 about on the sides of the car near the surface, but it is not long, 

 usually near the commencement of the fifth stage, before these too 

 have taken up the habits of bottom life. From the above considera- 

 tions it would seem that the lobsters may, if care is taken, be liberated 

 successfully after the first three or four days of the fourth stage are 

 past. But a later stage is preferred, and as many stages later as may 

 be will further insure the lives of the lobsters liberated. The chief 

 difficulty in the way of rearing these later stages is the great space 

 required. However, it is hoped that in the future a large majority 

 of our lobsters will be reared to the fifth stage or beyond. 



LIBERATION IN SPECIALLY DEVISED CARS. 



Two devices for liberating in deep water have been tried out this 

 past year. One of these is a covered box weighted with stones, and 

 with numerous large holes bored in the sides near the bottom. On 

 the outside of the box strips of wood wider than the diameter of the 



