REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



179 



Table Xo. 12. 

 Record of the rate of growth of two yearling lobsters* raised at Wickford, R. I. 



*Had not molted again November 28. 

 tRather smaller than the average size. 



We observe from a study of Table No. 10 A, that of 28 yearling 

 lobsters (which as we have attempted to show were in the twelfth 

 stage and which in this case had an average length of 52.7 mm. on 

 June 12) 24 individuals, measured the last of August, had an average 

 length of 72.6 mm. This would represent an average gain of 37 per 

 cent., and we may infer that approximately 2 molts, each representing 

 an increase of about 18 per cent., have taken place. It will be noted 

 that the per cent, of gain corresponds very nearly with our average 

 computed per cent, of increase, i. e., 18.4 per cent., for the lower stages. 

 Thus we assume that the young lobster enters the thirteenth stage some- 

 time in July, and the fourteenth stage perhaps in August. Considering 

 for a moment Table No. 12, we note that these deductions coincide 

 very closely with the facts recorded regarding the rate of growth of 

 the two 3'earling lobsters. 



From Table No. lOA, we obtain the further data that of 24 

 lobsters averaging 73 mm. (and in all probability in the fourteenth 

 stage the last of August) 17 individuals, when measured on November 

 7, had an average length of 87 mm. From this fact we conclude that 

 the passage into the fifteenth stage takes place sometime in October, and 

 note that the actual average increase in length over the fourteenth 



