46 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 
other small organisms, both plant and animal, which are caught 
in the meshes of the scrim bags, and there accumulate to such an 
extent that the circulation is often interfered with, and this, 
together with the fact that unused particles of food are apt to 
stick to the sides of the bags, renders it necessary occasionally to 
transfer the lobsters into clean bags; and it is found that this 
procedure apparently hastens the development. 
Thus far the food has been, for the most part, finely-chopped 
clams, although other foods, such as shredded fish and finely 
divided lobster-liver, have been used. The food, in the shape of 
minute animal organisms, is often brought into the enclosures in 
great quantity by the constantly revolving propellers which create 
the current upward through the bottom of the bags. During the 
last few days in June, countless numbers of star-fish larvee were 
thus carried into the bags and were kept there as in a trap, and 
on other occasions great quantities of small crabs and other crus- 
tacea were carried in in the same manner. 
It was noticed, during the latter part of the season, that the 
shrimp which crowded together upon the outer surface of the 
bags, apparently having scented the food, were apt to get into the 
bags occasionally and play havoe with the lobster larve; and it 
is because of these shrimp that the percentage in some of the 
experiments was not very much higher. 
Another caution which may well be mentioned is that of moving 
the lobsters as soon as they have moulted the third time and have 
reached the fourth stage. There is no necessity for their being 
held suspended in the current of water. They constantly endeavor 
to swim in the direction of the current or to cling to the sides of 
the bags. They are exceedingly voracious at this time, and it is 
much better to transfer them immediately to an enclosure with a 
sand bottom, or else put them overboard. 
Although the bags in use last summer have given by far the 
best results yet attained, it would seem that more durable and 
economical apparatus could be devised for holding the fry, and 
experiments will be made in that direction the following season. 
