27 



LOBSTER CULTURE. 



By B. STORROW. 



The object of the experiments in lobster culture conducted 

 during the summer of 1915 was to ascertain if possible a suitable 

 food for young lobsters during the larval stages. 



The berried females necessary for the experiment were obtained 

 from local fishermen, and early in May seven were placed in each 

 of the large supply tanks outside the building. The number of 

 larvae obtained was not so great as in previous years, due, no doubt, 

 to the lobsters being caught and kept in captivity some two months 

 before hatching took place. This was necessary, as at this period 

 most of the fishermen were taking out their lobster pots and pre- 

 paring for the salmon fishing. A large berried female, obtained 

 towards the end of June, and having the eggs nearly ready for 

 hatching, was placed in one of the large tanks of the Aquarium, 

 and gave a good supply of larvae. 



The tanks used were completely isolated by screens of mosquito 

 netting, and were of three sizes, the space available for the larvae 

 being as follows : — 



A. 39 X 29 X lOf cubic inches. 



B. 32 X 22 X 81 



C. 33 X 17 X 81 



In the first six experiments tanks of the A and B size were used, 

 and obtained an abundant supply of water by means of connexions 

 made by rubber and glass tubmg to the ordinary taps of the 

 Aquarium. Fine nozzles were made from glass tubing, and 

 together with pieces of glass tubing long enough to reach to the 

 bottom of the tank, were lashed to short pieces of wood in such a 

 manner as to allow of the jet of water from the nozzle carrying 

 with it down the tube the maximum quantity of air. By this 

 means not only was an adequate supply of water obtained but 

 also an efficient aeration of the tank, and by inclining the glass 

 tubes it was possible to produce a current which circulated round 

 the tank, and tended to keep the larvae from settling on the bottom. 



