THE AMERICAN LOBSTER. 
53 
A graphic representation of the fecundity of the lobster tells more forcibly than 
words or figures can how closely it is in conformity with the law just enunciated. If 
a curve is constructed in accordance with the latter, we obtain, as in cut 1, the curve 
aa, which is the wing of a parabola. Neglecting for the present all data in table 15 
but those corresponding to the arithmetical series of lengths, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 inches, we 
obtain the curve of fecundity represented by the dotted line bb , cut 1. This curve is 
parabolic and follows the curve aa with remarkable uniformity up to the region of the 
fourth term, where the ratio of production is distinctly lessened. This becomes still 
more marked in the fifth and sixth terms. 
In cut 2 the details of the curve bb are given, including all the data of the table. 
We see in the line bb 1 the same remarkable conformity to the parabolic curve required 
by the law. Beyond the fourth term (length 14 inches) the irregularities in the curve 
become greatest, owing to the small number of individuals represented. 
I believe the law above formulated expresses the propagative powers of the lobster 
during the height of its sexual activity, although it must not be supposed that the 
latter conforms uniformly to any arithmetical standard. 
Length of 
Cut 2 .— Curve of fecundity of the lobster. 
4 smaller divisions on ordinate correspond to 1 inch in length of lobster. 1 smaller division on abscissa represents 
1,000 eggs. 
aa\ curve deduced from law of production as theoretically stated. 
bb ] , cut ve of fecundity deduced from all the data contained in table 15, or from number of eggs produced by 4 645 
lobsters. ’ 
After the lobster has reached a certain age, determined by its early or late sexual 
maturity, its reproductive energy tends to decline, as is the case with the higher 
animals, and the ratio of increase, maintained at an earlier period, begins to fall. 
Whether the highest point of production is ever reached at 14 or 16 inches it is 
