REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 259 



b. Tabulation of Data 290 



c. Discussion of Results 290 



6. The Influence of the Molting Process upon the Regenerative Process 



in Regard to its Response to Mutilation 293 



7. The Effect of Regeneration upon the Rate of Growth of the Lobster . 295 



(a) Experiments 296 



(b) Tabulation of Results 297 



(c) Discussion of Results 302 



1. The Frequency of Molting 302 



2. The Increase in Size 302 



3. Tha Rate of Growth 304 



III. General Discussion of Results 306 



IV. Summary of Results 312 



Introduction and General Methods. 



Both economic and scientific interests furnish incentives to a study 

 of regeneration and its relations to the molting habits of the lobster. 



The economic aspect of the subject is readily appreciated in view 

 of the growing importance of the practical question of lobster culture. 

 The recent noteworthy success of the Rhode Island Commission of 

 Inland Fisheries, under the direction of Dr. A. D. Mead, in solving 

 the difficulties involved in the problem of hatching and rearing 

 lobster fry has given a new value to the study of the life history of 

 this crustacean. 



It is hardly necessary to emphasize the close relation existing 

 between the growth of the lobster and its molting habits. It is 

 well known that this animal increases in length, and to all appearances 

 grows, only at certain periods. Indeed, this is so much the case 

 that it is not at all impossible for a "short" lobster to grow from 8^ 

 inches to 9 inches by the process of shedding the shell, during a 

 single night; and thus rescue the fisherman from legal liabilities. 

 However, of course, it is not true that this increase in size is due 

 entirely to a rapid growth immediately after the molt; for the 



