282 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



these averages. Finally, the differences in the levels of the lines 

 representing the regenerating specimens indicate the extent to which 

 the rate of molting has been delayed in the regenerating series, both 

 as compared with each other and as compared with the rate for the 

 normal specimens. 



The effect of introducing the process of regeneration at different 

 times in the molting period may be readily perceived. Keeping in 

 mind the significance of the elevation of different lines, it is im- 

 mediately seen that the average date of molting for the regenerating 

 specimens rises in an ascending series, corresponding in a remarkable 

 -way with the time of mutilation. Again, a comparison of the eleva- 

 tion of the regenerating averages above the normal level shows a 

 gradual increase in the length of the molting periods for each suces- 

 sive regenerating series. 



From a more detailed examination it is also apparent that the 

 variation in the date of molting for both the regenerating and normal 

 specimens, around their respective averages, is fairly constant; and 

 that in the regenerating series, beginning with series C4, there is a 

 gradual elevation of the point at which the variation begins. 



Thus from these comparisons of the averages for the date of molt- 

 ing, and the individual variations about these averages, it seems very 

 evident that there is an increasing delay in the time of molting for 

 each series of regenerating lobsters; and also that this delay is 

 closely correlated with the time at which the process of regeneration began. 



There is a slight irregularity in the averages for series C^i, 0^2, 

 and C13; but it should be observed that, in series C^i and C13, 

 there were but two specimens, and in series C^g there was only one 

 specimen, which actually regenerated the chelipeds: so that the 

 comparative irregularity in the averages derived from such a small 

 number of individuals does not detract from the essential character 

 of the results. 



This experiment, then, clearly demonstrates that, if the regenera- 

 tion of a cheliped begins immediately after a molt, the length of the 

 molting period may be affected very slightly, if at all; that, on the 



