SEA- FISHERIES LABORATORY. 419 



are markedly diminished, and as a result the 

 percentage of inorganic matter in the dry weight 

 becomes increased. 



3. As a result of the inanition the total oxidisable organic 

 matter may fall to considerably less than one-half of 

 the initial amount. 



4. At the commencement of the period, protein, fat, and 



carbohydrate are oxidised almost equally, later the 

 carbohydrate becomes exhausted, and although fat 

 is still present, nearly all the oxidation falls upon the 

 proteins. 



5. There is a satisfactory correspondence between the 



amount of oxygen consumed by the animals through- 

 out the period and the amount of organic matter 

 disappearing. The oxygen consumed corresponds 

 very closely to that required for oxidation of the 

 organic matter disappearing, so that there is no 

 reason to suppose that the animal utilises any 

 dissolved organic matter which might hypothetically 

 be present in the sea-water. 



6. The rate of oxidation is throughout a slow one repre- 

 sentable by 120 to 130 milligrams per lobster of 

 220-300 grams at the commencement, and dropping 

 to about half this quantity towards the end of the 

 experiment. This amount corresponds to a little 

 over one-tenth of a gram of protein or carbohydrate 

 daily. 



