232 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
From these the fry were transferred to rearing cars. This method gave place 
to that of putting the ripe egg lobsters in shallow crates floated near the surface 
in the big canvas rearing bags, and then the two modifications just described 
were introduced. 
CARE OF THE FRY. 
After the fry have been hatched and transferred to the proper rearing 
car they respond well to careful treatment, and the degree of success of an 
individual experiment depends to a large degree on the care that is given. 
Screens.—Attention to the condition of the screens is worth while, for the 
intake and outflow of water can thus be regulated and, incidentally, the fine 
particles of food can be retained in the car for longer*or shorter time by this 
means. The screens which we have used have been made of copper wire, bronze, 
galvanized iron, galvanized steel, scrim, and painted wire of various meshes and 
sizes of wire or thread. None is thoroughly satisfactory. They are all apt 
to clog up or to tear easily. It is to be hoped that the perforated sheet brass 
or bronze, which has been tried by Professor Gorham to his satisfaction in small 
experiments, will prove to be a great improvement. 
Food.—An appropriate and available food supply sufficient in quantity to 
fulfill the demands of healthy growth is, of course, a prime requisite in any ° 
fish culture, but in the case of the lobster larvae even this may not be adequate. 
Not only should the fry have food enough for their healthy growth, but they 
should never be allowed to go hungry. From hunger to cannibalism is a short 
step, and although, by means of the current, the fry are kept from congregating, 
and danger from cannibalism is, therefore, greatly lessened, there still occur 
chances of individuals coming momentarily in contact with one another, and, 
if hungry, they make the most of these opportunities. When not hungry, and 
when the cannibal instinct is not aggravated by the crowding together, they 
are fairly peaceable. 
The question of the best food for the lobster fry is still open. There are 
many kinds that the fry will eat, and fortunately by means of the stirring appa- 
ratus small pieces of almost any kind can be held suspended and therefore made 
available, but the fry have preferences, and, furthermore, the choice must involve 
the consideration of cost, the labor of preparation, waste, and the effect upon 
the water in the cars of the grease or decaying residue. 
In some of the earlier experiments several years ago the highly epicurean 
diet of lobster liver was offered, and the young larve, innocent of its antecedents 
and, as it proved, unaware of its consequences, devoured the finely divided 
morsels ravenously. This diet did not agree with them and was discontinued 
partly on this account and partly because for operations on a large scale there 
were financial objections -to its use. Shredded codfish, finely cut or ground fish 
of various kinds, clams, mussels, raw beef, beef liver, boiled beef, and many 
other foods have been tried. The fry are extravagantly fond of fresh fish, 
