INLAND FISHERIES COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. 31 



tures, so to speak), than by the season or tempei'ature. They must shed in order 

 to grow, and if they get plenty to eat they will grow. In the early stages of 

 their growth, the process of shedding goes on quite rapidly and becomes less 

 frequent year by year as they attain age, and having become fully grown the 

 process stops altogether." 



They probably shed, when partially grown, only once a year, or, at any rate, 

 not more than twice a year; but it must be remembered that the young have to 

 undergo many changes in order to attain the length of even a few inches. The 

 very young, however, shed very rapidly, going through many changes in the 

 course of the first season or summer. A lobster eight inches long will, after 

 shedding, measure about ten inches, but from the very young to eight inches my 

 data is deficient. 



I have written to Prof. S. I. Smith, of Yale College, on the subject of growth, 

 but he was unable to give me any satisfactory answers. Prof. Smith is probably 

 the best scientific authority on the subject in this country. 



Just before shedding, the lobster is said to be full and heavy, but immediately 

 after shedding it becomes thin and watery and unfit for food. Nevertheless soft- 

 shell lobsters are said to be used in the lobster canneries of Maine. 



SPAWNING. 



The question was put to the correspondents, Do lobsters spawn all through the 

 year? One-third answered, "No;" the remainder, "Yes." Lobsters with spawn 

 can, most likely, be found at all seasons, but during certain parts of the year, 

 probably only in small numbers. The summer seems to be the principal spawn- 

 ing season, and most of the statements I have indicate that the eggs begin to 

 appear about March, and hatch from June to September. Still this statement 

 must be tempered with the above; that some spawning lobsters are to be found 

 all the year through. 



We have no data as to the exact length of time any single lobster carries her 

 spawn. 



As to the size of the smallest lobsters seen with spawn, the correspondents dif- 

 fered in their answers, from eight inches to twelve inches. There seems to be no 

 definite data as to the size and age of lobsters at maturity. It may vary at 

 different points along the coast (with temperature), but, if so, we have no knowl- 

 edge of it. I will quote the answer we have had from Mr. S. M. Johnson on this 

 point. We consider him one of the very best authorities we have regarding the 

 lobster: 



"Have never seen caught east of Cape Cod more than two or three specimens 

 that were under ten and one-half inches long (with spawn), and these, I think, 

 were fully mature, but dwarfs. I think but a small proportion spawn under eleven 

 inches in length, and I have always been of the opinion that this is the proper 

 limit below which none should be saved for food, in order to fully protect the 

 species. " 



The spawning lobster is probably move inactive, or torpid, than those without 

 spawn. 



