ACCLIMATIZATION OF FISH IN THE PACIFIC STATES. 
463 
original lot of females planted, under the most favorable circumstances, and provided they all lived 
that long. Prolonging these conditions, the maximum number of eggs would not be increased from 
year to year before the fifth or sixth year. It is probable, however, that the original stock of adult 
lobsters will not keep entirely together, and some will undoubtedly become the prey of fishes. More- 
over, lobster embryos are subject to great mortality, and only a very small percentage reach maturity. 
If at the end of six or even ten years a few thousand only compose the colony off Monterey, the exper- 
iment may be considered as successful, but when once it has been firmly established on so large a basis 
the annual increase will be much more rapid. 
Mr. Ratlrbun states that during 1889 a few of the adult lobsters deposited in the 
Monterey region had been seen in shallow water, and that young lobsters about 1 
inches long were reported to be observed from time to time. Of the reported occur- 
rence of the latter he remarks that full credence can not be given the statements until 
the specimens have been examined by someone competent to identify the species. 
During the past few years several reports of the capture of lobsters on the Pacilic 
Coast have been circulated. In 1893 notice of the taking of lobsters in the vicinity 
of Monterey was published. Mr. Alexander diligently investigated the matter and 
reported on it as follows : 
Reports are frequently circulated that lobsters have been taken by the fishermen of Monterey, 
but each time the investigation Avliich has followed has proved the story false. Those not familiar 
with the lobster easily mistake the fresh-water crayfish for that animal. During the past season a 
report was circulated through the press of this coast that several small eastern lobsters had been 
caught at Monterey, and, to add strength to the story, it was stated that samples had been sent to the 
Fish Commission for identification and word had been sent back that the samples received were the 
genuine eastern lobster. Such reports are very misleading and have caused considerable inquiry to be 
made concerning the lobsters planted on the coast in 1888. 
The writer has had occasion to interview the fishermen of Monterey several times during the 
past four years, but has never been able to find a man who was certain he had caught a lobster. 
Prof. Charles H. Gilbert saw the specimens that were taken this summer, and states that they were 
fresh- water crayfish. 
That several of the lobsters planted at Monterey have been caught there is little doubt. Captain, 
Nichols, of the United States Navy, says that several years ago he ate a lobster which was purchased at 
a market in Oakland; being an eastern man, and having taken an interest in the fisheries all his life, 
it is to be presumed that he is correct in what he says. The questions arise, Who caught the lobsters? 
and, Have they been exterminated ? The white fishermen say they have never been guilty of saving 
what they supposed to be lobsters, but are of the opinion that the Chinese have caught and sold 
many specimens, but of this there is no direct proof. From what can be learned it would seem that 
the lobsters planted here were either caught before they had time to increase, or the character of the 
bottom and general surroundings was not suited to them for propagating. 
No traces of the lobsters planted off Trinidad, Cal., have ever been found. The fishermen of that 
locality have made diligent search for them with such appliances as they had, but to no purpose. 
Captain Nichols, in charge of the light-house board of California, has had lobster pots made and set on 
and near the spots where they were planted. This kind of apparatus has also met with negative results. 
Tlie following very positive references to tlie lobster on the coast of Washington 
are found in' the report of the State flsli commissioner for 1890 : 
I have endeavored to ascertain if any young lobsters have been seen since. I find that quite a 
number have been seen by fishermen in Port Townsend Bay, and also in Shoalwater Bay. I met two 
gentlemen on Grays Harbor who had each taken one, one being taken at the mouth of the Hoquiam 
River, and the other near Peterson Point, close to the entrance of Grays Harbor. As both these 
gentlemen were from States bordering on the Atlantic, they were perfectly familiar with the lobster 
in all its different stages of growth, and both agreed that it was a genuine young lobster they had 
taken. The gentlemen, after examining them, returned them to the water. From this evidence there 
can be no doubt that the effort to transplant lobsters into the waters of our State has been successful, 
and in a few years will have stocked the Puget Sound as well as Shoalwater Bay and Grays Harbor. 
As the lobster requires about five years to mature, the present legislation for their protection is ample. 
