EXPERIMENTAL LOBSTEK-HATCHEBT. 187 



the sea, with a very small expenditure ; but the general belief that 

 overfished grounds can be replenished in this way is still open to 

 very serious criticism." 



I have herewith submitted a photograph of our experimental 

 lobster-hatchery; and with a view to enable those seeing 

 it to form a better idea as to its size, I have included my 

 assistant in the picture ; the boat-hook which he holds in his 

 hand rests on the water-line. The dimensions of this hatchery 

 are as follows: length, 14-ft.; width, 6-ft.; depth, 4-ft. 3-ins. 

 The windows or ports are 16 in number, measure 11 ins. square, 

 and are distributed as follows : — three on each side and two at 

 each end. Every port is protected by an external covering of 

 half-inch galvanized wire netting, and about three inches on the 

 inside of each of these is a thin fine brass screen ; which, while 

 allowing an uninterrupted stream of water to pass through, 

 effectually prevents the larvse from escaping. Firmly fixed at 

 each end in the interior of the hatchery is an empty fifteen - 

 gallon cask, two of these being found sufficient to give the 

 apparatus the necessary buoyancy. 



Immediately beneath each of the three hatches on the top 

 of the hatchery, which can be opened at pleasure, and screwed 

 into its floor are three cages, each measuring two feet square. 

 These are covered with half-inch galvanized wire netting, and 

 also provided with a hinged top. These cages are used to put 

 the hen-lobsters in, when the eggs are ripe ; each animal having 

 ample room to move in, and at the same time one is able to 

 examine each lobster, as often as needful, without disturbing the 

 others. 



Some time later, I was exceedingly gratified to find that 

 Prof. Herdman'*^ had recommended in his report that experi- 

 ments should be attempted at Port Erin, in the Isle of Man, on 

 lines very similar to ours ; it is indeed very singular how our 

 views on this subject agree. 



Towards the end of June, this hatchery was moored in a 

 corner formed by the extremities of the northern and western 

 breakwaters on the Dock Company's premises. In this locality 

 it was fairly well protected from every strong wind, and besides, 

 being moored in a tide-way, had the additional advantage of a 

 gentle undulatory motion imparted to the water by constantly 



