THE REPRODUCTION OF THE LOBSTER. 61 



Bumpus, working at the U.S. Fish Commission Station, at Woods Holl, 

 Mass., and by Garman, in connection with the State Fish Commission, 

 of Massachusetts. It would appear that Herrick's work was commenced 

 during the season of 1889, his most important results being published in 

 May, 1891,* whilst Garman turned his attention to the subject in 

 1890, and reported his conclusions to the Massachusetts State Fish 

 Commission, in December, 1891. On most points of importance, the 

 independent researches of these difterent investigators are so much in 

 accord, that there can be little doubt as to their correctness. 



The time of year during which eggs are laid by the American lobster 

 appears, from Herrick's recent papers f to be less restricted than had 

 previously been supposed. As the result of his earlier work, he was of 

 opinion that the period of egg-laying was confined to the summer 

 months, and that the eggs were carried by the female until the summer 

 following, when they were hatched. A similar view is also taken by 

 Garman. This statement of the facts, however, Herrick now regards as 

 only partially true, for, whilst the greater number of females deposit 

 their eggs during the months of June, July, and August, a considerable 

 number — probably, at least, ten per cent. — lay eggs during the autumn, 

 winter, and spring months.:]: 



For eggs laid during the summer, Herrick, Bumpus, and Garman 

 agree as to the time occupied in development. They are carried by the 

 female from ten to eleven months before being hatched, this event 

 taking place, in the majority of cases, during June and July of the 

 year following that in which they are laid. During the first few weeks 

 development proceeds rapidly, the eyes being already visible after a 

 month from the time of laying. As the colder weather comes on the 

 process is much retarded, and advance is slow during the winter. 

 According to Herrick, however, the period of fosterage varies consider- 

 ably in eggs not produced in the summer, some of which may hatch in 

 the fall, and possibly in the winter months. 



On these points Ehrenbaum is able to give valuable information 

 concerning the Heligoland lobsters. Special opportunities for the study 

 of the subject are afforded at this place, as the fishermen and dealers 

 keep great numbers of lobsters in large, floating cages for considerable 

 periods, especially in summer. In these cages, however, the females do 

 not, in the majority of cases, deposit their spawn, probably on account 

 of their being shut up in a confined space with a number of their 



* Johns Hopkins Univ. Circulars, vol. x. no. 87, and Zool. Anzciger, nos. 361 

 and 362. 



t ZdoI. Anzeigcr, August, 1894, and June, 1895. 



X Nielsen states that, in Newfoundland, the larger lobsters spawn from the middle of June 

 till the middle of August, whilst the smaller do not lay until the latter part of October and 

 November. (Annual Report, Newfoundland Fisheries Commission, 1889, p. 12.) 



