1316] AUni: Spiny Lobster of llie California Coast 151 



tlie occurrence of scattering cases of very early or very late spawning 

 that do not come within the period of maximum spawn bearing. 



Insemination takes place from a putty-like mass of sperm material 

 placed upon the ventral surface of the female's thorax between the 

 last three pairs of appendages. This mass contains contorted tubular 

 cavities in which the spermatozoa lie. It is at first white and soft 

 but in a short time turns black and becomes hard. It comes to re- 

 semble whalebone in consistency. 



Spawn-carrying females are said to seek sheltered spots in the 

 lea of islands or points of land and to take refuge in sheltered crevices 

 of rocks along shore. There are many rumors of favorite spawning 

 grounds. They are all sheltered and close to shore. 



EXUVIATION 



There are quite conflicting reports from fishermen regarding the 

 sliedding of the shell. My observations have been made in the summer 

 and early fall. It is possible to find spiny lobsters in process of 

 shedding their shells at all times during this period ; but they are 

 most common in August, September and October. Some fishermen 

 state that shedding takes place most commonly in the S]:)ring. It is 

 quite probable that it may occur to a certain extent at all times of 

 the year. 



SEX EATIO 



Examination of spiny lobsters brought from Mexican waters in 

 July showed a great preponderance of males. This was to be ex- 

 plained by the fact that the females still carrying spawn are by law 

 excluded from the markets. In August and September, after the 

 young have hatched, the proportion is reversed, because the males 

 have become scarce through long fishing while the females protected 

 during the spawn-bearing period are then available for market use. 

 These factors make sex counts of .such catches made in ^lexican 

 waters of little value. Since no spiny lobsters of either sex can be 

 legally taken along the California coast during the spawning season 

 this selective fishing does not take place. Conditions were especially 

 favoi'able when these observations were made because the.y were car- 

 ried out at the resumption of spiny lobster fishing after a two-year 

 period during which it was entirely forbidden. 



