21 



Closer details of this may be shown by considering the actual 

 measurements of the berried females. These are shown in 

 the following table and curve : — 



From this jit will be 'observed that ^ the number of berried 

 females rapidly increases up to 34^f inches and as rapidly 

 decreases beyond that size. Beyond 4 inches there is again 

 a rapid drop, there being very few females in berry of a larger 

 size. The present legal size limit of 3 inches fahs just before 

 the size of greatest fertihty according to these figures. It 

 represents 3I inches in the method of measurement here adopted 

 and is represented by the asterisk in the diagram. To ensure 

 adequate protection of the female, the size limit should be 

 increased to 4!^ or 4-|- inches. 



From the data given above, the condition of the female 

 may be noted at 'different seasons, though only very generally, 

 as the data are * not ^ sufficient. In November, 11 berried 

 females were got on two occasions. In December, 14 on 

 three occasions. In January, 31 on three occasions. The 

 largest number were got about the beginning of January, and 

 none after the 22nd January, which may therefore be pro- 

 visionally taken as the end of the spawning season. 



We may note also that the smallest crawfish in berry was 

 2.\ inches, procured on the 12th January off Woodstock Beach 

 in 5^ fathoms of water and that such small forms were very rare. 



The largest female was 5 inches, there being only 3 of this 

 size, I from Woodstock Beach from 4 fathoms, 28th Novem- 

 ber, and 2 from the same place from 5 fathoms on the 12th 

 December. 



[C.P. 5-'i3-] 



