94 TBANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



kind that can most readily be obtained — is thrown in to 

 them once a day. Some of the lobsters have now been 

 in for three years and have spawned twice in that time. 



This vivarium at Brodick, however, is only used as a 

 breeding pond, and a protection to the mother lobster and 

 the spawn until hatching takes place. No attempt has 

 been made to retain the young larval lobsters when set 

 free and rear them up to the adult condition. 



When I visited this vivarium the water was run off at 

 low tide so as to let me examine the interior. It then 

 contained a number of large lobsters, both male and 

 female ; some of the latter had spawn which was ready to 

 hatch out, and in fact some of it had been hatched since 

 the previous day, others had spawn which had just 

 recently been produced, and all seemed in a thoroughly 

 healthy and satisfactory condition. 



I have been of opinion for the last few years that Port 

 Erin in the Isle of Man would be a most suitable place 

 for lobster culture. In the first place, there is pure sea- 

 water, and a rocky coast with abundance of sea-weeds ; 

 and moreover lobsters live already in the neighbourhood, 

 showing that the ground and other conditions are suit- 

 able, and ensuring a ready supply of the parent animals. 

 Secondly, on the north side of the bay, between the 

 Biological Station and Bradda Head, there are several deep 

 creeks in the rocks which could be easily closed in to form 

 vivaria. Thirdly, the lobsters could be easily fed and 

 looked after by those having charge of the Biological 

 Station, and the Sea-Fish hatchery, when that is estab- 

 lished. Fourthly, the lobsters, whether full-grown ones 

 for the market or in their younger stages for stocking 

 other grounds, could readily be sent off from Port Erin, 

 by train to Douglas and then by steamer to Liverpool, 

 Fleetwood, etc., or direct by steamer from Port St. Mary 



