SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 209 



had batches of newly hatched Shrimps in our glass jars, 

 which were kept alive until the temporary laboratory had 

 to be dismantled. One of the Shrimps on completion of 

 the hatching out of the larvae, cast its shell ; both the 

 shell and the animal were preserved, and are now in the 

 Fisheries Collection at Liverpool. 



i " Early in February the bailiffs noticed that the rough 

 ground between tide marks eastwards from Foulney was 

 covered with young Mussels, and after my arrival I 

 visited the various places pointed out, and found that 

 everything was covered with -the young shell-fish, the 

 sizes of which varied from one-sixteenth of an inch to 

 one-quarter of an inch. Whether these young Mussels 

 are the result of the previous summer's spawning or not 

 is at present difficult to say, as the rate of growth of this 

 shell-fish depends a great deal upon its surroundings, 

 food supply. &c, matters which can only be found out 

 after lengthened investigation of any particular bed. 

 Although numerous samples collected from the different 

 Mussel beds in the neighbourhood were examined, on 

 spawning shell -fish were found. The Cockle beds were 

 also examined for spawning Cockles, but none could be 

 discovered. 



" Now that the Piel Marine Laboratory is completed 

 and in working order, a close examination of the various 

 shell-fish beds in the neighbourhood will be kept up 

 throughout the year : (1) by weekly examinations of the 

 shell-fish themselves for approaching maturity and time 

 of spawning, and (2) by frequent tow-nettings in the 

 vicinity of the beds for the free swimming larvae. 



" During the spring tides of March Mr. Kichardson, 

 one of the bailiffs, secured a ' berried ' Lobster, which 

 had been taken on the scar referred to in last year's 

 Eeport, and brought it to the laboratory, where it was 



