50 CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 



at 13 inches, 20,000; at 14 inches, 40,000; at 16 inches, nearly 

 60,000 ; and at 18 inches, nearly 80,000. In the ease of 533 10%- 

 inch berried lobsters taken from the waters of this State, the 

 smallest, average and largest number of eggs borne were 5,000, 

 13,000 and 36,000. The smallest number probably represents a 

 first brood, so that the average berried lobster at this size is prob- 

 ably carrying eggs for the second time. The maximum of produc- 

 tion is reached at the 15 to 16 inch stage when some individuals 

 produce nearly 100,000 eggs at one time. 



The average 10%-inch berried lobster is from five to seven years 

 old; and assuming that it has borne eggs once before, it has lived 

 to produce 33,000 eggs. On the other hand, an egg-bearer 16 

 inches in length which according to Hadley's estimate is nearly 

 eighteen years old, has had a succession of eight broods and has 

 produced 310,000 eggs. The larger animal is thus worth nine 

 times as much as the smaller; in other words, in the course of 

 twelve years its value to the fishery has been increased 800 per 

 cent. 



Again, it should be noted that it is the class of small adults up 

 to, but hot including the 9 or 10V2-inch animals, those which 

 produce by the fives or tens of thousands, upon which we have 

 relied to maintain the race, while it is the class of big anunals 

 which produce the fifty .and the hundred thousands which has 

 been nearly wiped out. 



It may be added here that the male lobster matures as early 

 as the female, and possibly earlier; and that the female may be 

 impregnated at any time, and by more than one male. The sperm 

 is received into a peculiar pouch or seminal receptacle on the 

 under side of the body of the female, between the third pair of 

 walking legs. The sperm has great vitality, and will endure in 

 this condition for months and possibly for years. 



(c) There is a definite spawning period for the majority of 

 adults, ranging on this coast from July 15 to August 15, and 

 averaging two weeks later in northern Maine. A relatively small 

 per cent, lay their eggs in fall and winter. 



(d) It is a fact, though frequently denied, that the lobster lays 

 her eggs, as already stated, but once in two years (though rare 

 exceptions to this rule may be looked for), and not annually, as 

 was formerly supposed. This was first proved by the anatomy 

 and growth of the reproductive organs,^ and was confirmed by 



' ^erriok, Francis H. : " The American Lobster; a Study of its Habits and Develop- 

 ment," Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission for 1895, pp. 70, 246 (description 

 Fig. 138). Washington, 1895. Also, " The Reproductive Period in the Lobster." Bulletin 

 of the United States Fish Commission for 1901, pp. 161-166. Washington, 1902. 



