104 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



a large number of lobsters which had moulted to the same stage on 

 the same day. Care was also taken to select only normal iadividuals, 

 for it had been previously discovered that the process of regeneration 

 which follows the loss of limbs tends to materially retard the lobster's 

 growth.* 



These 90 fourth-stage lobsters were then separated into six groups 

 of 15 lobsters each. Five of these groups of lobsters were fed with 

 •different kinds of food. The remaining group was kept as a control. 



It was attempted to conduct the experiments under constant and, 

 at the same time, as nearlj^ normal conditions as possible. Each 

 lobster was kept in a separate glass jar. These jars or bottles were 

 placed in a wooden frame not unlike an egg-crate. This frame, with 

 its 90 or more jars, was then submerged to a distance of about two 

 feet below tiie surface of the water, in order to secure a continual 

 change of water. This necessitated a cover of some sort over the 

 mouths of the jars to prevent the escape of the lobsters. A good 

 deal of difficulty was experienced in finding a satisfactory cover. 

 At first caps of copper screen were placed over some of the jars con- 

 taining lobsters, for a preliminary test. But upon examination, 

 about twelve hours later, we were surprised and disappointed to 

 find every lobster dead. Apparently the chemical products produced 

 by the contact of the copper with salt water had been sufficient to 

 poison the animals. Galvanized wire screen was next tried, but 

 with almost equally disastrous results; for within twenty-four hours 

 the second lot of lobsters had also died. After several experiments, 

 a cover of loose-meshed cloth, "bobbinet," was tried. This proved 

 ■successful. 



The lobsters were fed once a day. Before feeding, each jar was 

 carefully cleaned in order to remove particles of food and sediment 

 which always collect at the bottom of the jar. The food was then 



* Emmel, V. E.. '05: The Regeneration of Lost Parts in the Lobster; 35th Annual Report 

 of the Rhode Island Fish Commission. 1906: The Relation of Regeneration to the Molting 

 Process in the Lobster; 36th Annual Report of the Rhode Island Commission of Inland 

 Fisheries. 



