Anderton. — Ohservations on New Zealand Fishes. 487 



Date. 



The above table gives the dates on which the deaths took 

 phice and the temperature of the water on that date. It will be 

 seen from this that the mortality was greatly increased with the 

 increase of the temperature, and the greatest mortaUty occurred 

 during the hottest period of the voyage. By the 26th May all 

 but two were dead ; but, as the water from this date gradually 

 became cooler, these two survived, and arrived in Port Chalmers 

 on the 29th June, when they were at once taken over to the 

 station and placed in a large glass tank. Both are females, 

 and had, unfortunately, shed their eggs only a few days previous 

 to their arrival. A small number were still attached to the 

 swimmerets of one, but on examination under the microscope 

 were found to be dead, but with a well-developed embryo. 

 Since their arrival, six months ago, these two lobsters have been 

 kept in a glass tank measuring 5 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. deep. 

 A steady supply of water is maintained, and their surroundings 

 made as natural as possible by means of gravel, weeds, and 

 rook shelters. Each lobster sticks religiously to its own shelter, 

 to which it always returns after a forage for food. Whenever 

 the tank is cleaned out, each one, on being replaced, goes at 

 once into its own den head first, but immediately turns round 

 so as to face the entrance, leaving only the large chelse projecting. 

 They are fed somewhat irregularly on fish, but appear to be very 

 small eaters ; if a piece of fish is thrust into their hiding-place 

 when they are not hungry they at once seize it and carry it out, 

 dropping it some distance away. 



In order to ascertain the possibiUties of lobsters and crayfish 

 living peaceably together, one of each, both accustomed to con- 

 finement, Avere placed in an observation-tank. But there can 

 be no question as to the lobster being " boss," as it chased the 

 crayfish about the tank, snapping at it with its powerful claws, 

 the crayfish having to ascend to the surface to get out of its 

 way, so that they had to be at once separated. 



It is interesting to note that the lobsters have not moulted 

 since their arrival. 



