MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 58 
the number of larvee hatched 1s substantially larger than 
that of last year. The majority of these larve were set 
free, as usual, by Professor Herdman from the yacht 
“ Ladybird ” in the open sea a few miles clear of the Isle 
of Man. 
Kfforts were renewed in July and August to hatch 
and rear larve of the common lobster, but I regret to be 
unable to report greater success than in former years. 
The supply of female lobsters with nearly ripe eggs was 
again small, only 20 being brought in by the local fisher- 
men, and the old difficulty—cannibalism amongst the 
larvee—was severely felt, in spite of an abundant and 
varied supply of food. Experiments in rearing the larvie 
were made with large canvas bags, supported on frames 
Fig. 18. Larval plaice. x 15. 
of wood, which were placed in the spawning pond, and 
the water therein abundantly aerated with streams of 
water from the aquarium and hatchery, but the results 
were not encouraging. ,However, over 3,000 larvee in 
various stages of development and including a few well- 
erown lobsterlings were set free in the sea; and we hope 
to adopt new lines of experiment during the ensuing 
season which may give better results. 
The approximate numbers of plaice eggs collected, 
and of the young fish set free upon the dates specified, 
are given in the following table :—— 
