48 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 
in their movements, and could readily be picked up with the hand. 
Those which were removed on this occasion were exceedingly 
lively as soon as they were brought into somewhat warmer water. 
On the 10th of May the box was lifted from the bottom and 
transferred to a float attached to the house-boat, where the lob- 
sters were kept during the rest of the summer, within eighteen 
inches of the surface. The density of the water underwent sudden 
and great variation during the months of May and June, so that 
at low tide on certain days it was very fresh. For instance, on 
May 11th and 18th, it was only 1.0095, the temperature being 59° 
and 53° Fahrenheit. At low tide the density was 1.020. within two 
or three days of these dates. These figures show a great differ- 
ence in the density, nevertheless, the lobsters seemed to suffer 
no inconvenience, and there was very little mortality during the 
whole summer. 
When the box was taken up on May 10th, twenty-three lobsters 
were found alive and in good condition, and their measurements 
are given on page 49. Subsequently, on June 12th, all of the 
gravel was removed from the car and several specimens which 
had escaped detection before were found and the number was 
increased to twenty-eight. These were transferred to a new car 
like the preceding one, and there remained until November 8th, 
when they were again put down at the bottom of the channel for 
the winter. During this time several specimens were preserved 
or died through accident. During the summer they were fed on 
clams and fish, but did not receive the best of care in the busy 
part of the season. They shed frequently, and many of the cast 
skins were secured and preserved. 
The following measurements show the actual length in milli- 
metres and inches on several dates during the summer; and it is 
clear, from comparing these measurements, that the yearling lob- 
sters reared under apparently the same conditions show remarka- 
ble variations in size and characteristics, which were pointed out 
in a previous report as very noticeable in the young lobsters from 
two weeks old to five months: 
