THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 741 



and thrive in other regions than those in which they properly belong. The transportation of live 

 lobsters over long distances has been successfully accomplished, but their acclimatization in 

 strange waters is a more difficult problem still awaiting solution. Several species of true fishes, 

 and also the common soft clam (Mya arenaria). belonging to the eastern side of the continent, 

 have been introduced into the Pacific and its tributaries, and Pacific forms are now living on the 

 Atlantic slope, making it appear reasonable to suppose that the lobster is capable of transplanta- 

 tion, providing it is introduced into a region where the water possesses a similar density and 

 temperature to that of its natural habitat. Such conditions possibly exist on certain portions of 

 the western coast, but no investigations have yet been made to determine the fact. The successful 

 introduction of lobsters into that region would prove of great benefit, and it has already been 

 attempted, though without permanent results so far as known. 



TRANSPLANTING TO CALIFORNIA. On page 686 we have referred to the carrying of live 

 lobsters to Europe for the purposes of trade, and will here give a brief account of the experiments 

 of Mr. Livingston Stone in transporting them across the continent. Three trials were made by 

 this gentleman, on behalf of the State of California, with the assistance and co-operation of the 

 United States Fish Commission, in 1873, in 1874, and finally in 1879, the last one only having been 

 successful. 



First attempt. On the 3d of June, 1873, the first shipment was made in an aquarium car 

 specially fitted up for the purpose, and which was to run through to California without change. 

 Several species of fish were also included in the stock. The lobsters numbered one hundred and 

 sixty-two, and were obtained from Massachusetts Bay and Wood's Holl, Massachusetts. They were 

 contained in six large cases, the water in which was retained as nearly as possible at a temperature 

 of between 34 and 36 F. The lobsters began to die early in the journey, but an unfortunate 

 accident near Omaha, which precipitated the car into a river, brought the experiment to an 

 untimely end. 



Second attempt. In June of the following year the second shipment was made. It con- 

 sisted of one hundred and fifty lobsters, of which a portion were carried in wooden cases and the 

 remainder in a large salt-water tank. The boxes were " without covers, and divided by partitions 

 into twelve apartments. The surface extent of these apartments was just enough to admit one 

 lobster lying within it smaller than was well for them. The depth of the apartments was about 

 6 inches, and the bottoms were bored with an auger-hole to allow drainage. A handful of straw 

 was put in each apartment and a lobster laid upon it, then sponges dripping with salt water were 

 placed above and around it until quite concealed from sight and from dry air by this stratum of 

 wet sponges." At the start, all of the lobsters were packed in boxes in this manner, but after two 

 or three days sixty were transferred to the large salt-water tank containing striped bass and other 

 salt-water fish. Air was forced into the tank continuously, but the following day all suddenly 

 died, it was supposed, from the cover of the tank having fallen and interfered with the circulation. 

 The lobsters in the cases were treated in the following manner : 



"There were fwelve of these boxes, each containing twelve above-described apartments, 

 placed in the aquarium car, one upon another, in two piles of six boxes each, against the side of 

 the car. In going over the lobsters twice a day, the boxes were taken down and the sponges were 

 removed from the lobsters one at a time and squeezed over the animal, which, if alive, will respond 

 to it by blinking its eyes and stretching its claws, perhaps moving its body a little. The sponges 

 were then dipped into a pailful of sea water and wetted again, and were carefully arrauged as 

 before about the lobster. Pieces of ice which another person had been breaking up meanwhile 

 were strewn over each box, among the compartments and sponges, to keep cool the water in the 



