REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 297 



condition, naturally the method in the present experiment consisted 

 in continuing to keep the lobsters from series B in a normal condition, 

 and continuing to mutilate the individuals from Series C4 to C^g, 

 after every molt. These normal and regenerating lobsters will be 

 designated as Group I and Group II, respectively. 



The mutilations in Group II consisted in the removal of both 

 chelipeds, as before. If in any case the mutilation included also 

 some of the legs, it was noted in the records. The mutilations were 

 all made on about the third or fourth day after each molt, with the 

 exception of those made after the molt into the fourth stage, which 

 were a part of the previous experiment. The limbs were removed 

 at this time to insure a regeneration of the appendages before the 

 succeeding molt. Although it is evident from the results of preceding 

 experiments that later mutilations would have produced a greater 

 effect upon the length of the molting periods, still the results from 

 even the present mutilations were sufficient to show a distinct effect 

 upon the growth of the lobster. 



Each specimen was placed in one of the wire screen cylinders 

 previously described, and the two groups of lobsters were kept in as 

 nearly the same conditions as possible. Observations were made 

 once a day during the month of August and the first part of Septem- 

 ber. Records for each specimen consisted of the date of molts, the 

 time of mutilation, and the length and condition of the lobster after 

 each molt. By the middle of September the lobsters had all molted 

 to the seventh stage. After the middle of September it became 

 necessary to discontinue the daily records, and only occasional 

 observations and measurements were taken. On December 2nd a 

 final measurement was recorded for each specimen. 



h. Tabulation of Results. 



Thirteen of the normal lobsters in Group I and 26 of the regenerat- 

 ing specimens molted to the seventh stage and, with the exception 

 of 4 specimens, lived up to December 2, the date of the last observa- 

 tion. The data for these normal and regenerating lobsters are given 



