ANNUAL REPORT.

Pic

GR PAE

NERS Mt TUAND. FISHERIES
4800.”

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

ci

fi,

ee

LIBRARY

OF THE

Museum of Comparative Zoology

IVRUL 20, \V0'1.

State of Abode Island and Providence Plantations.

THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

/
NAANHAATANTAIMNA AM YR FAN TWATINNIMA

Compliments of

Commissioners of Inland Fishezies,

‘Providence, “R. I.

NS OF Gt) Ch, aman ae ome ol a Pata Me Pca Pe ee kee 5 a

* PROVIDENCE:
E. L. FREEMAN & SONS, STATE PRINTERS,

i Ua EF

THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND. FISHERIES,
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, 1901.

PROVIDENCE:
E. L. FREEMAN & SONS, STATE PRINTERS,

LOO.

COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES OF RHODE ISLAND.

Je Mewk. SOULE WICK President sccm cane seme atts wanes Newport, R. I.
HIEINIRY "T: ROOD ire msuteny oc se ncb «ology eet ai Providence, R. I.
WAVING TRS COUR MON (SIRGRAUCH A) oo combi ocaKe P. O. Box 966, Providence, R. I.
EAS OW ot VW RIMTUT AD) seer eecnte tec crehacn tee eis epee, et sreunyecel secre, ws Westerly, R. I.
ADE LBERT D, ROBERUS:. 22.2 os. «px P. O. Box 264, Woonsocket, R. I.
ET RENT OIN Geos WEDS Metis De ereteta ones tere te creletnae Brown University.
VINE. ke 3 OVAUR DINAN cer acces. «sk nee mieis oon menaml= 6 meee Central Falls, R. I.

Laer elles edn ae

To the Honorable the Geperal Assembly of the State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, at its January Session, 1901 ;

The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their
annual report for the year 1900:

The work undertaken by the commissioners during the past year
may be tabulated as follows:

First. The stocking of our ponds and streams with suitable 3
fresh-water fish, through the distribution of eggs and fry.

Second. The collection of definite data respecting the times of
arrival and departure of various food-fishes, and the preparation
of statistics of exportation.

Third. A continuation of the observations on the breeding: pe-
riods of native marine animals.

Fourth. The location of fish-traps within the waters of Narra-
gansett Bay, and the collection of statistical data bearing upon
their ownership.

fifth. Observations to show the influence that trap-fishing
may have upon line-fishine.

Sixth. The continued examination of the physical and biologi-
cal conditions of the waters of the Bay, begun in 1898.

Seventh. A preliminary survey of the shores of the bay, for the
purpose of determining those portions which are most productive
of young seed-clams.

Fighth. A continued investigation of the life-history of the
clam. Methods of artificial propagation and cultivation.

4 INLAND FISHERIES.

Ninth. Continued work on off-shore fisheries.

Tenth. An investigation of the habits and growth of the scallop.

Eleventh. Further observations on the red water plague, with
notes on its occurrence elsewhere.

Twelfth. Additions to the list of fishes known to inhabit the
Bay, with remarks on rare fishes recently caught.

Thirteenth. Experiments in lobster culture.

The scientific work which your commission was able to accom-
plish was made possible by the special appropriation of last year,
which provided for the construction of a new floating laboratory
and for the purchase of a small naphtha launch.

The new floating laboratory was towed to Wickford on May 17,
and placed at the same moorings which held the old house-boat
of the previous year. It was built by the Providence Dry Dock
Co., and is a thoroughly staunch craft which should be service-
able for many years. A brief description is as follows: Two pon-
toons, 52 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, of three-inch hard
pine, completely decked with two-inch hard pine, each pontoon
with three bulk-heads and four water-tight compartments accessi-
ble by hatches, painted all over, copper paint below. Pontoons
placed 8 feet apart and securely fastened by cross-beams and knees
at each end. A house 10x10 feet at each end of the boat, with
floors of two-inch hard pine, roof, sides, doors, shelves, and closets
of North Carolina pine, painted outside and natural wood inside.
Roof 7 feet from floor, covered with canvas, and painted. The
well between the pontoons is open from one house to the other
for a distance of 20 feet, and under the houses is accessible through
hatches in the floors. 'The laboratory equipment was transferred
from the old house-boat and additional apparatus added. In
December the craft was laid on shore and carefully blocked up
beyond the reach of the tide.

The experience of your commission in the past three years has
proved in the most convincing manner the value of a house-boat

as a laboratory for investigation of problems connected with ma-

INLAND FISHERIES. 5

rine biology, and this particular structure, the first of its kind yet
built, is eminently satisfactory. It has been the object of no little
interest in outside quarters, and a description of it was sent by
request to the Fisheries Commission in New Zealand.

The old house-boat, which did good service during the previous
season, was laid up on the beach and will not float again. It has
been in commission throughout the summer as an accessory labo-
ratory and quarters for two assistants and has served as a store-
house during the winter.

The naphtha launch “Athleen,”’ 264 feet long, fitted with a
4-horse-power Murray and Tregartha engine, was purchased in
Boston, and was launched at Wickford June 27. It is an excel-
lent boat and has been of great practical service in locating fish-
traps, in collecting clams and scallops, in exploring the shore in
various parts of the bay, and in light dredging. A small, well-
built tender was bought with the launch and is so light that it—
can easily be taken on board.

The small lobster hatchery which served as a house-boat on the
Kickemuit river in 1898 and 1899 was not in commission during
the past season. It may be possible to use it during the coming
season however, now that the launch provides means of communi-
cation with the headquarters at Wickford.

Your commission recalls with pleasure the reception its in-
vestigations have met with outside the State. For two years
the commission has been in correspondence with the Imperial
Fisheries Bureau of Japan in regard to all these researches. The
paper on the “ Peridinium and Red Water in Narragansett Bay”
has been translated into Japanese, at the request of Mr. K.
Nishikawa of that bureau. The special interest of the Japanese
in “ Peridinium” was due to the fact that a smilar phenomenon of
“ved water” occurred in Japanese waters, caused by an organism
thought at first to be indentical with our form, but later found to
belong to a related genus. The two papers on the “ Natural His-
tory of the Star-Fish” have been reprinted in the Bulletin of the
U.S. F. C., by request of that commission.

6 INLAND FISHERIES.

More interest has been shown in the investigations on the clam
than in those already mentioned, from the fact that they have
served as a basis for enterprises in clam-culture. Several indi-
viduals and companies have begun rearing: clams on a large scale
since the paper was published, and an active correspondence with
the parties has been carried on. These enterprises have been
started in other States—Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New
York, as well as in California.

Inquiries into the natural history of the quahog and informa-
tion regarding the possibility of its artificial propagation, breed-
ing, etc., have been received, but cannot be answered at present.

It is hoped on the part of your commission that the results of
the past season’s work on the clam, scallop, and lobster will be
received with the same interest and will encourage further efforts
toward a cultivation of these animals and toward increasing the
natural supply.

At the request of the committee having in charge the Rhode
Island exhibit for the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, your
commission has loaned for exhibition in the Rhode Island depart-
ment a series of cases, illustrating the natural history of the clam,
scallop, lobster, and star-fish, together with a large relief map of
Narragansett Bay showing the contour of the bay and depth of
water at various places and the location of the fish-traps, oyster-
beds, and scallop-grounds. The committee in charge of the State
exhibit offered to bear the expense connected with the installation
of the cases, ete.

The receipts and disbursements of the commission have been

as follows:

State of Rhode Island in Account with Commissioners of Inland Fisheries.

1899, DR.
Deco... Lo baluncecdve commissioners)... ce oon ee eee ee eee $441 57
1900,

Sept.1s. To paid for 40,000 yearling trout and distributing same. 1,142 44

1900.
Wee: 31.

1900.
Feb. 1.
Mar. 22.

Apr. 30.
May 10.

22.

June 12.

July 24.

Aug. 8.
17:

24,
Sept. 18.
28.
Noy., 1.

Dd.

12.
Dec. 18.

INLAND FISHERIES. a

Dr.

To paid for investigating lobsters, clams, flat-fish, and

SURE L FSI 4 ean URE PD ost Ads A Oe Sed A BN $1,125 34
To paid for expenses of Commissioners............... 280 79
To‘paid for printing; postage, GtCe so... 0220s. 32 80
To paid for new house-boat and naphtha launch...... 1,550 00

EC TEH S aerlee 3, SS WERE Ae NAC, eee ae ater OO a ene ee $4,572 94

Cr.
By cashifrom State Dreasurer: 3a)... .ack os eagsiest « -. $107 95

2 ee SMM fon 20 Bins oy atte heal owen tas tates 63 277 56

o Oe Ear ret aS: eae eye es ee 22 62

“ eS MD OE Scare SN syste Su Menvenee COS ENO 46 17

Le =< ime Pn co rt niyare tovars Ctounetiie- aeiacertiers 9 00

Se so Fe ee OS Sic CIE rite 51 64

“ a SOD Wand wean ths 2 cats pene 1,000 00

a fs SoU RR Piro Motive rei Rroaeer Shae 22 52

. sf ey UAW As Seta Gandhi AAO eae 75 61

ee ‘7 oT Ly Cea etch otd «cin ears CMa mee Mees 550 00

ae . SET UR eee, StS A ey Parag os ey Set Be ism

oe o Sek eh eS GE Bb CROC TIMERS etic te Ae 22 00

oe = Se ie LRM MOR aco insc eysraicirc (chal fefenaimore fs 9 50

es: = Be FL Cre TAOS 5 OO ee ere 20 00

a “ Ee eR PRS rs PRON TGTR Teaei Sse se ars, sates. 5 112 81

c - DS d=. aah oe EIRENE Rane a ear 16 26

bs Ss eae ed eee Be, hy. 41 75

as Fs Bay Wh DOG reek alse lhe sitauiaete§ 1,000 00

is s cet Nae Sopotitcue s = tones ear 50 00

« “ COS) URI SIRE de, 20s che RE 17.00

ne ts ev aeOU Ko) of ctays) 0c ede ateess choke: aM 450 00

eS = ig mn Mire hoon Phcisiireern nie Cate arc ne 50 00

ss eS MMR ereT fe ereve cbarcl Sie rarerutoy Sere sree 9 20

es ae alle oie RN ee Re Soot eae eerie 100 00

“ es RMEY | rate ttaravererd nay eve de afc) Siatedars ae 45 85

es “s OM Tae eRevarc th Mate! Sin ole Oia win. aie he 75 00

af = MM ye Rate ee rateha axes lava. oe toe haps aie 30 00

. ee SE RUGS s Li5, avatar arate ya tae a ako che aaiote 30 60

‘“ “ ‘

8 INLAND FISHERIES.

1900. CR.
Dec. 18. By cash from State Treasurer... .:.. <6 appa sen ee $66 99
81. By balance due commissioners’... .....-. ++. 1) -<)eeeeeeree 84 69
Totals cc § oe an oe Sie Rta oid 2 ee eed eee $4,572 94

J. M. K. SOUTHWICK,
HENRY T. ROOT,

CHAS. W. WILLARD,
WM. P. MORTON,
ADELBERT 8. ROBERTS,
HERMON C. BUMPUS,
WM. H. BOARDMAN.

Commissioners of Inland Fisheries.

1. THe StTockING oF ouR PONDS AND STREAMS WITH SUITABLE
FresH-Water Fiso, THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTION OF Kaas
AND Fry.

Brook Trout.

The commission have purchased the past year 40,000 yearling
trout which have been thoroughly distributed in the waters of
the State, with the assistance of anglers, as heretofore. The past
season has been an unusually dry one, and we have heard of cases
where the streams have become so low that the trout have died in
considerable numbers. During the open season numerous good
catches have been reported to us.

Large-mouthed Black Bass.

Continued success seems to have attended the introduction of
this species into the waters of the State, notably in Washington
County. The Penicatuck river from Mantic dam to tide-water
can now be said to be fairly well stocked with fish running up to

INLAND FISHERIES. 9

two pounds in weight, and there is no reason to doubt that this
river will soon become an ample producer of this excellent food-
fish.

A number of small ponds also have been stocked during the
past five years, all of which have shown gratifying results, both in
increase of fish and rapidity of growth.

Through the courtesy of the U. 8. Fish Commission, 1,000 fry
have been received the present season, 400 of which were placed
in Paweatuck river and 700 in Richmond pond at Wood River
Junction. It is the intention of the commission to reserve the
above named pond for the propagation of large-mouthed black
bass only, from which other waters may hereafter be stocked.

Small-mouthed Black Bass.

This species is seemingly holding its own in nearly all sections.

The commission can make but little progress in the way of
stocking, inasmuch as the U.S. Fish Commission is not at present
propagating the small-mouthed black blass. The only available
method at present is to take adult fish by hook and line and to
transplant them alive to other waters. This method has been
adopted wherever practicable, and has been attended with good

results.

Land-locked Salmon.

There seems to be no body of water in Rhode Island that is
peculiarly adopted to the culture of the fresh-water salmon.
Great depth, low temperature of water, and a suitable inlet of
pure water for spawning are necessary natural conditions for suc-
cessful propagation. However, inasmuch as the experience of the
State has been very slight, the commissioners have made some _
efforts in the way of experiments.

A quantity of eggs were received from the U. 8. Fish Com-
mission. These were hatched and reared until the fry were four
months old, when they were distributed as follows:

»
~

10 INLAND FISHERIES.

LOOSE see St Be eae Watchaug Pond.
POUOM Reet ee Le eae ...Sneech Pond.
AOA: Settee tines Pass ayes Wallum Pond.

White Perch.

Through the courtesy of the commissioner and superintendent
of parks, we were enabled to secure 100 white perch. These were
placed in Moswansicut pond.

Shad.

We obtained from the U.S. Fish Commission 1,000,000 shad fry,
which were planted as follows: 500,000 in Point Judith ponds,
150,000 in Runnins River, and 350,000 in Palmer’s River at the
shad factory.

IZ. Tur Cotuecrion oF DEFINITE Data RESPECTING THE TIMES OF
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF VARIOUS Foop—FISHES, AND THE
STATISTICS OF EXPORTATION.

The difficulty hitherto experienced by the commission in sys-
tematically collecting data concerning the arrival and departure
of fishes is partly removed by the purchase of the small launch.
It is hoped that more can be accomplished in this direction next
year.

The following table gives the amount of the monthly exports of fish, lobsters,
and sword-fish for the year 1900 from Newport, R. I.

Fish. Lobsters. Sword-fish.
ANU Ayers seers eee 778 barrels. G13 barrels: ~~ © ines
Fepruary nt nk see Sod G2! STF St Ree
Mareh sais. fan yee 15s) 490% S05) | DA ee
STU Sb3 os ee Spr ‘ 481. 4° ao Wy a eae
Mig Sethe fhe epee 15,899 << 309, 4. 4°°8 ath oreneee
JAIN ett cee ee ee 9879 *F DOGMan 101 barrels.
Snuliy 38s" who ae eee DOL: wy Ke G98 Mead: Ga) Meus

PAUIBUIBL ss sevtct Aee nce eee eau Le 502) 6 ae

eee ee

INLAND FISHERIES. 11

Fish. Lobsters. Sword-fish.
SETAE sc. nae cas 5 2,099 barrels. PO SWDATTE Sty Mites
WMCLODCR is. cs vas oa 1a gL §ENS PRGS eel ee eae
INGO MEHVOOT foc eccess eine IEOO9) af (Oe Sy 2 ae Miia beara iene
WeEGEINDET. =. Fok cose es 610 - 28 oval NEN as leans AeA Se
Motaleses eet ne 38,184 barrels. 4,793 barrels. 166 barrels.

Table showing the shipments of fish, lobsters, and sword-fish by the principal
transportation lines from Newport during the last ten years.

Fish. Lobsters. Sword-fish.
LSC RS 8 Sige Saeed as Ele t ae ereran 18,032 barrels. 2,204 barrels. Not reported.
SOD tyaarskaerd Moc ayawia wee 26,832 “y 2,123 + 4
Rees cha asncyamapee ies fd, ahs s 24,452 Py 1,399 = £6
1322 Eos SeenON Col eens earl a 17,861 * 2,392 “s He
Ue ea Ean nee 94.622 * Dato) te es
HISOGE Aes oem cra aoe cra ae sls a) 2h 0s OO a 2,115 = 143 barrels.
Pg ean calc) ar tn, 25,098 Rigg, * # OS
SOR areca couaaveteren «aye eve 0 34,065 A 1,163 a 74 ue
POG are See as Vr ee s oAe OG Bie 4,143 ve 162 a
BOOM etd ctsa ees cs fs. 6 Snes OOSLOA ‘ 4,793 es 166 oF

“| Baye TI nee rhe chine 277,087 barrels. 24,490 barrels. 590 barrels.

IIL. A ConrINUATION OF THE OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF
NatrivE MARINE ANIMALS.

Facts concerning the breeding of various marine animals are

being collected and filed for future publication.

TV. Tue Location or FISH—TRAPS WITHIN THE WATERS OF NARRA—
GANSETT Bay, AND THE COLLECTION OF STATISTICAL Data
BEARING UPON THEIR OWNERSHIP.

With the publication of the report for 1898, the State first came
into possession of definite data respecting the location and owner-
ship of fish-traps. Assisted by the boats of the U.S. Fish Com-
mission, your commission has again visited all the fish-traps, lo-

12 INLAND FISHERIES.

cated them upon its chart, and determined their ownership. The
report for 1899 contained a revision of these data for that year,
and during the past season the traps have again been located and
have all been visited in the launch with the exception of those in
Sakonnet river and those off shore. We would repeat that the
equipment and maintenance of these appliances represent the in-
vestment of considerable capital and the employment of a large
number of men. A large proportion of the fish captured are con-
sumed beyond the limits of the State, and the list of cities to
which shipments are directly made indicates very clearly the repu-
tation which the State must enjoy as a fisheries centre. It is un-
necessary to argue that large sums of money are brought into the
State through the activities of those immediately interested in
this industry. A list of the principal owners of fish-traps is here
given, together with the localities at which the traps are set.

Adina dtiram ke TK. (OQ) a) pe eal war. aoe cnt tates an Sakonnet River.
rae pmada NV Mave ake phe en Seen ees oe Sakonnet Point.
Carpenter rosie sa) oie ABS koe sactcls,«. (MR Ati Ser. Saunderstown.
GarpenternGeOs sc ay ere ech a eee ee ee he Beaver Head.
Chance Avos ee sexe. ce eee ee eee eee Narragansett Pier.
@alvert (GEG tse ee oe gee one ae ae on Coggeshall’s Ledge.
COGEMOLTAE: Fe Pies ANE dR? SAREE RE Sakonnet Point.
Corey; Hide (OO en ies abe eee ene see ee Sakonnet River.
GEOG 7 Wik cio ena oe. net ees Sele opie ee Sakonnet River.
Corey, George and Martin (000)............ _....Sakonnet River.
Gorey, George and Martim::....2.....2.>22: ... Sakonnet River.
Corey, Georee and Martin’. 2°25... 2.-snee Sakonnet River.
Cottrell Ss 25 ce eerie bs eee ee eee eee Popasquash.
Cottrell: Sy xcGa5 5 55.2 oo etotcs oe Obie ee Oe rene ee Popasquash.
Cottrell Sick c ce accm tile Meine eae eee Bristol.
G@otivellls S ict dhe asl HAG: Gest ee eck ek oe eee a ieeg Mt. Hope.
@otirell, Wim. ieiwelsad ) abla anatase aoe eee Tiverton.
Gotttelll, / W.. bse ie atenk oak: ak Oe eee Tiverton.

* The signs (00) and (000) indicate double and triple traps.

| a

NARRAGANSETT BAY.

SHOWING THE LOCATION OF FISH TRAPS FOR 1900.

PREPARED BY THE RHODE ISLAND COMMISSION OF INLAND FISHERIES

‘TO ACCOMPANY REPORT FOR 1900,

. pe i ; e
BR. Sf -#

' Doone P
| ue
| / ey Nequs Bros
| @ Nodson ry : t nepard Nequs Bros
Sisson Cottr elt S, @) Vober
Sisson Wiison { Care os

*

WARice

Lewis Bros e

6 S Touro
Cone ste @

Gy YQ

Inepard
b)
a f.
Comrel\/S ye
— a AuMOns
Kouye + Brayo® 4 x ig 1G

Youe Brayton
Rowe 4 Brayion

Nownue AL @\Gi0danny Y i ese Wm

Fish
Cottrel) WE
Fish

\

0 ‘al (Mga Rose
a a os Rose

Sy Howland <« Grianell
er

Wilson
‘Grow

Gray PP OG
Crrnnel® Te

Covey} « latin

Wanchesier
« Deroy

A me

Reiger | Corey « Movin

Tomes

Gladdrg

Simons

ia @Churen LB.
Slavs é
2

WAVES @\Mocom &’ ee

‘ eo wi
@ Wo.ddny hae
Qrornyson BE sncorvooks f ees ° - ae
Rose WO
Po e Yong mow
Bu sktnvon e ‘a
12 Burch » © Rose
ne Chron
e Wiacomber

INLAND FISHERIES. 13

IN ads alee Heche heer ieee) Paws one Sie ems Sea's 8 Aw Conanicut.
RES TE I Rs SS a a a Rumstick.
PaeERO RA (OOMEr (00) 02. 5s eden dkeccic sce e tans Price’s Neck.
RMSE tc enc ee) ath se aight fo sa edie Wane .... Tiverton.
REPRINT DSTI EOL) eecece hd eas ed icis erated vo as Oo be Rens aye Tiverton.
SNR ee EN ys) sp Boos aie Seek Ries cig aewhe we ave jothaie Brenton’s Point.
MEN IE TG Ane na Nr) Foy Suan sa Ne oe ese et Coddington Cove.
OS SED 1072 oe a en a Sakonnet River.
Semmes. H.. (0000). 5 iad ese vk cem eda uel NR Sakonnet River.
OS TAR AS ee a Cee re Sakonnet Point.
LP GE GeO Ry a es Ue PM a Hope.
(LA SL CUS A ee ee 2s eer eee en, Prudence.
NRE Fe ae ry tes alg AS Gi 92's aah 2.4 Sind Hk Ge Watson’s Pier.
Grinnell, Philip (00)...... Mae Rs Pea te hic tshlae & Sakonnet River.
oy STINE TT Eat 0) (0 ee ee Sakonnet River.
Sema R PEERY: oes Nate Wiad es 54 Ava be Sees wed Sakonnet River.
RUE R ONIONS 5 oles vk. Wea vcie ition hake Uda whee’ West Shore.
Peer Pebemiry (00) 5 cis cee ees ee eee ee ve le ee Sakonnet River.
SG yy hock iy e a ey eee ee 3 Brenton’s Point.
faomianeana Grinnell... es. eee les Sakonnet River.
SEE Ue an es ne ea a Coddington’s Cove.
Jameés, EIR ar Esa ace vir I Rn whee SLE oe Conanicut, Potter’s Cove.
ee BNE DPV GOD 2 2 aoe eye ne Mes aware de: eS A, Prudence.
Kaye and Brayton..... RE Beaty eae ek rah oie cep co VOTE Prudence.
ee GM 2 hile) Be kee REN Prudence.
Brogan... ek es Pep AC A peat Bhoomee ste fie reel Conanicut.
ME PSRAS Stee ey cm ae Peas eh MN) dhation Mian ele y Conanicut.
OL, GS eer ee (Juonset Point.
NNN ESINII Ee wee ial Fh telah anit dahadn Oelde'an b 8% Mackerel Cove.
MAO MNT hea OK, 1 6 Le ay cd Rnen thks xo kas Mackerel Cove.
SMT M TIL IN, arta ve whore ee ee i 'S een YS ....Brenton’s Point.
OS GS a eo ee a Brenton’s Cove.
EES gE Ene ee eee nee en Plum Beach.
(0: a a ee Se. Cee Plum Beach.

EERO 5 NWR hapa faa kha hea ee 254A bes Wild Goose Point.

14 INLAND FISHERIES.

Lewis Bros..... Sa cos Sle aig alle Re ee Sauga Point.
Bewis Bross: .3 Vii weed 22 Soe ee oa ee ee Conanicut.
TLiewas IBrOs8 Si... ils shes Sen wes hae eee Oe eee Conanicut.
lu@iwais ABrOSs.<¢ cisa oe Dicn Gates ee ee Conanicut.
TSS ROB siz 3g VG A se Conanicut.
Thewas: Brose. xb occ.) Sanka ee eee Cone Conanicut.
Toe ke Moses fois. =: i: rie Ea eee ners ae ee eee Apponaug.
Madison Petere..i. 2 ings eae see eee ie eee Apponaug.
Manchester; Daniel 2). ..2.0..0. -') 220 be ee Vials Creek.
Manchester; Whmiel sc Acne cee .........Quonset Point.
Manchester and Seabury cs. 2.4. ..20e. so: shee othe Sakonnet River.
Neos iBrOds.. 4 ccc. iusiae tee ed Scie os eee aoe Mount Hope.
Neos Maras sis 2 weiaay sites ap act isi Ree ea eee Mount Hope.
Novthirup, Altice: perce ee atise eee eee Beaver Tail.
Pawmie.} 028 Sate is ooh pam soak eee eee Hope.
Peeleians 2s aces Gate a ene oy eee Sachuest Cove.
Rice, Herbert H..... Jielesay tree ale ona eee Warwick.
Roses: Witairn Sere ie ee oe ane it ates cee Conrad’s Cove.
ROBE A VY mt a Ae ete Soe hee aes oe eevee ay Coggeshall’s Ledge.
Roses Geox(QQONs 1. cs ou cand) secre ss Ware Sakonnet River.
Roser Gicotne Mune ide cee ene bie Se olemce er Sakonnet Point.
Rost) aida talk. Sear vb ie aces ke weenie Sakonnet River.
Rose, Hdf-and Chas, (00) ..0.5 3. see ooeeue cee Sakonnet River.
Shepard la tk as Gace an w ws ame pe ens, eee Popasquash.
Shapards A. bo .0 seek cass Gems Srey ene eee Popasquash.
Simons Wa «ard “hilo t Sas aoe ae ee ...Sakonnet River.
Spoil, I Ws a os alk a polcoe, ee 2 mheeteeh oie ees eee a .. Beaver Head.
Spink, JpWicitc... oan wet Meee ee eee +) Jas 0. CODBmTGIRE
Soak Levee dies 20552 site Sa Oe Sees ee eg te ee ...Conanicut.
Spoink, ce WAG ee ais Boi 8 cee entities ee eee eres Prudence.
Sinmons, JolmUNT 6. ey yy ees ce Tiverton.
Simmons; dobmeWhe,, < tink Woe ee ccs eee ee eee Tiverton.
SISSON; espe ee ns RR Se oe ee Chippanogsett.
Sisson, sa 35 a ee AR ee eee Chippanogsett.

Taber, we | BNR ee a ole 2 oe Geo tet oe a re ee a Tiverton.

INLAND FISHERIES. 15

itew. Hugene aid: Gree 75s) r5.1- esnrs- a6. mas ore .....Cherry Neck.
Memeo W alnete nn. Mirai, Por. 2 inst weyabd vals Sachuest Point.
OOS, 1) ae Ck ee ee Beaver Tail.
I ee ne cas Sig OR i reels bee vases we Beaver Head.
MPR C HO RUOVGE a. sale culo niies cial oad verse sagen wah Saunderstown.
RRM SERA RE altel bce hans tick ow nin weet gio Be wate ks Sakonnet Point.
TT GS eZine es Sakonnet Point.
Berne Mane Me to FE Oe a Se he alt Sakonnet River.
Beemetintee: (O00). spares nce ny ceed eee tices Sakonnet River.
Wileox, ———............... Aad a ra. Re PUNE ad Aol Point Judith.
NTE Se er se Seated hah. eg Potowomut Rocks.
“OTT SS Eg SEES Pee ee rn ee eo me ee ee aed eee Prudence.
OSE WE ESSE ES Oe Le eee ee ae a Se ee ea Patience.
Sra-TRaPs.
SSA 8 ee ee Off Seal Rock.
Peete Wisidiy) otlu). seek Ye auido); Off Coggeshall’s Ledge.
emmmmnrereerOnY Jt Fat WO Poel C La male dle cs 244 Off Seal Rock.
PERCE SIme ee ee ce te IS, S. Cormorant Rock.
LTT Rud 2p eel C110 aga ll ee Off Sakonnet Point.
RRM MMe yt Eg Sant ek si Alls trate 4 Off Seal Rock.
SUAS Se ee, - eee Off Coggeshall’s Ledge.
LTE TON EO ne, eno ae eee er S. Cormorant Rock.
mur ea als fe), 2H iehuyrtlacould wialeta/abare Off Coggeshall’s Ledge.
mepmrenanis Ae ASL AG aha ete fen Off Coggeshall’s Ledge.
rec eree P Gams se hood a alts TUE IN JUS re) Off Cormorant Rock.
en wid iden os Off Coggeshall’s Ledge.
UE MOTE” se SNS ag a oP Off Coggeshall’s Ledge.
SNEED eR Ae Rte Off Seal Rock.
1 Seo 700 0 ny ee ee Off Seal Rock.

OO ST TT ee, Oe Ce an ae ene Off Sakonnet.

16 INLAND FISHERIES.

V. OBSERVATIONS TO SHOW THE INFLUENCE THAT TRAP—FISHING
May Have Upon Line-—FIsHinc.

The problem involved in this question, and its local bearing, is
briefly stated in the following quotation from the report of last

year, as follows:

“The influence that the trap-fishing in the lower portion of the Bay may
have upon the abundance of food-fish in the upper portion of the Bay has
been an oft-disputed question. The heat of argument at any time has
been in inverse ratio to the number of fish visiting our shores. The general
question of the inexhaustibility of sea products has received special atten-
tion during the past year. W.C. McIntosh, director of the Scottish Marine
Laboratory at St. Andrews, and for several years member of the Fishery
Board, has endeavored to show, in his book ‘The Resources of the Sea,’
that there is little danger of over-fishing, that restrictive legislation is un-
necessary, and that Nature is amply able to maintain an abundant supply,
no matter what demands may be made upon her. Views so entirely at
variance with the convictions of those who have made fishing a profession,
so radically different from the opinions of those who occupy positions that
have enabled them to study the abundance of various commercial fishes
from year to year, and views that deliberately set at nought the legislative
provisions of the various maritime countries, have naturally been seriously
questioned, and the discussions have certainly brought many facts to the
surtace that otherwise would have remained unknown.

“So faras our own interests are concerned, there seems to be little question
that certain of our native fishes have been sadly reduced in numbers through
neglect and excessive fishing, but the abundance of many forms which
annually come in from the open ocean, and visit our shores for the purpose
of breeding, appears to remain unaffected.”

The effect of extensive fishing upon the actual abundance of
these migratory species is a question of international as well as
national and local interest. It is a problem of great difficulty and
complexity, and its satisfactory solution will doubtless be deferred
for many years.

The following notes are of interest, particularly in their bearing
upon the local problem, and they seem to indicate that there is no
immediate danger, by means of the nearly 150 traps in the waters

INLAND FISHERIES. 17

of the State, of exterminating or reducing the annual catch of
certain species of food fish.

Tautog.

The tautog are still abundant in our bay although they have
become relatively scarce in the vicinity of Woods Hole. At Paw-
tuxet the first specimen was taken on April 26. They were re-
ported very abundant and large at Bristol, where Mr. Shepard
caught in his trap a specimen weighing 13 pounds. They were
also plentiful in the lower Bay. Capt. Isaac L. Church, of New-
port, has kindly furnished the Commission with the following data
concerning his catch from June 11 to October 16, 1900.

Account of Tautog Caught by Capt. Church during the Year 1900, together
with Prices Obtained for the Same :

BURIAL vhs tates. cy seins. Mayors s Osi pounds ab Vsye CONUS 4... 3.05). aa: $30 93

PN Re Ane 667 .S 4 By tata acl cso soa ane al eg 26 68

PAP Sg oe MORNE ORI EERS 565 ry 3 We SAnpposno coor 16 95

CL a Se a 560 3 SEN ashen terms 16 80
iterchare seen a= Sate 762 : 3 eS ar shauslan migvateNeteere 22 86

Pl D\G to swan peer ee 818 fs 3 SO Oyae tts Soule spe 24 56
PRL RCE alesse de a zidtts> 531 = 3 Batt Cieeey | PC dceecths 15 93
MB eatery aicystes eos 500 uy 5 Ts Bi Sea Ae ata ae? 25 00

Bilis mei etcr ate saves e esc 7438 5 5 rE marae Fests onan e tae 37 15

a fateh hes ce eve ets 558 ae 5) SMe Rep eee cise iets Cote

Bei oe, eons ste et Oud. se 3 ee eae al 3S 32 22
Dore mesresats yevie ese ea 934 hi 3 LORS tied Be ot eho: 28 02

MONG ees see ra nshe sae 5 819 pi 3 Fee Becohe or ¥ sie 4s terts 24°57
NGrreet taste ttc. 695 i 3 DO PIL ROe Ore 20 85

BY eaten tera « ia) oom ts 268 * 3 ete te eerahers #15 eter en OE
POCA. sete 10,525 Avg. price. 3, ‘“ $358 44

Capt. Church fishes as a pastime, and his observation that the
tautog are as plentiful as they were when he was a boy, in 1860, is

of particular interest in showing that there is no apparent de-
3

18 INLAND FISHERIES.

crease in quantity, although his catches in the last eight years

were all slightly better than during this season.

Squiteaque.

These have been abundant. They were taken in the upper
waters of the Bay from June to the middle of November. In
former years Buzzard’s Bay and vicinity were spawning grounds of
the squiteague, but now the young can be obtained only in the
Wareham and Acushnet rivers, and there only in very small num-
bers. Judging from the abundance of the young in Narragansett
Bay it would seem that Rhode Island waters were favorite spawn-
ing grounds at present.

Scup.

The catch of seup has been good, but not extraordinary. The
first were taken in Noah Thompson’s trap, off Newport, April 21.
The temperature of the water was a little below the average, but

the first specimens appeared at the usual time.

Hickory Shad.

These fish have been here in considerable numbers.

Blue-Fish.

This year’s catch has been relatively small.

Menhaden.

The menhaden season has been the most successful in three
years according to the Fisheries Company. The total catch for
1900 is 894,359 barrels which is 421 barrels more than that of 1889.
During the latter part of August the menhaden were very scarce
in the bay. Fishermen had to pay as high as six cents apiece for
them as bait. The U.S. F. C. Schooner “ Grampus” was prevented
from making a second trip for tile-fish because of the scarcity of
bait.

INLAND FISHERIES. 19

Alewives.

Mr. Geo. A. Griffin, of Wakefield, R. I., in response to the in-
quiries of the commission, says that 3,128 barrels were exported
and sold in the New York markets at the rate of $4.50 per barrel,
while about 35,000 fish were sold to the local trade for a net price
of $500. ;
Flat-Fish— Winter Flounder.

The past season was unusually productive of flat-fish. During
the early part of April, Lewis Brothers, of Wickford, caught 1,200
in a trap which had been set only one day. It is an extremely in-
teresting fact that the dark bellied variety, which gradually came
into notice several years ago, and attained the maximum of its
abundance about three years ago, is now on the decline. Last
season, according to a trustworthy estimate, only about 4 per cent.
were colored on the under surface, while three years ago at least
33 per cent. were so colored.

Cod.

The cod-fishing in the bay and adjacent waters has been almost
phenomenal. The fish were abundant on the mussel-beds in the °
West Passage when the traps were set in the spring, and in the
fall had returned in considerable numbers. The fish were in ex-
cellent condition.

It is a question whether the increasing abundance of cod in our
waters is an unmixed blessing, for it is certain that this fish is a
most destructive enemy to the lobster. The commission has many
specimens of lobsters taken from the stomach of the cod. One
specimen from a cod caught off Nantucket on November 1, 1900,
measured five inches in length.

VI. ConTINUED EXAMINATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
CoNDITIONS OF THE WATER OF THE Bay, BEGun IN 1898.

Notes on the occurrence of various species of animals found

20 INLAND FISHERIES.

while exploring the shore, dredging the bottom, and skimming the
surface of the water are being filed for future use, and a daily
record of the temperature and specific gravity of the water at the
house-boat in Wickford was kept from April to the middle of
September.

VIL. A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE SHORE OF THE BAY FOR THE
PurRPOSE OF DETERMINING THOSE PorTIONS WHICH ARE
Most PRODUCTIVE OF YOUNG SEED-—CLAMS.

The fact that clams set exceedingly thick in limited localities so
that they can be taken in quantities, and the importance of this
fact in connection with the clam-industry, has been pointed out in
the report of last spring and is also referred to in the present re-
port.

After the arrival of the launch a large portion of the shore of
the bay was examined for the purpose of locating such places.
Several localities were discovered, although it was evident that,
in general, the set of the past year was far less abundant than that
of 1899. Itis proposed to continue the examinations of the shore
for this and other purposes, and to embody the results in a future

report.

VIII. A ConTINUATION OF THE INVESTIGATION ON THE LirE—HIsToRY
oF THE CLAM, Meruops oF ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION AND
CULTIVATION.

This investigation has been continued at the laboratory at
Wickford, and some of the questions left over from last year have
been satisfactorily answered. The commission is indebted to the
U.S. Fish Commission for assistance in many of the experiments,

the report of which is given in the following pages :

OBSERVATIONS ON THE SOFT-SHELL CLAM.
(SECOND PAPER.)

AG De Via, Ba De

BROWN UNIVERSITY, PROVIDENCE, R. I.

An account of the observations on the breeding habits, rate of
growth under various conditions, of the habits of the young before
and after setting, and of the experiments made to ascertain the
possibilities of the artificial culture of clams, was given in the Re-
port of 1899, pp. 20-42. In the course of the investigations re-
corded in the previous report, questions arose which could not at
that time be answered satisfactorily, and they were deferred to a
subsequent time.

It is the purpose of the present paper, therefore, to record merely
the progress made during the past season without reviewing the
account of previous observations.

The account will be given, as concisely as possible, in three
chapters, viz.: Breeding, Rate of Burrowing, and Rate of Growth.

The contents of these are as follows:

BREEDING.
1. How old are the clams when they first breed ?
2. Is there a second breeding season ?
3. Is artificial fertilization of the clam possible and practic-
able for obtaining spat in quantity ?
Do clams change their sex as they grow older?
5. What are the best methods for obtaining young clams

for planting ?

22 INLAND FISHERIES.

RATE OF BURROWING.

A statement of the bearing of the habit of burrowing on the
problem of clam-culture.

A statement in tabulated form of experiments made to de-
termine the effect of varying conditions on the rate of
burrowing.

A summary of results.

Conclusions.

RATE OF GROWTH.

The record of a series of new experiments made to ascer-
tain the rate of growth of clams of various ages planted
under varying conditions. The record will be presented
in tabulated form, and the inferences drawn will be stated

in the text.

FIGURES.

A series of figures reproduced from life-size photographs,
showing some of the new results in respect to the rate of

growth of the clam.

BREEDING.

Flow old are clams when they first breed ?

This problem was left open at the time of writing the last Report,
but now can be definitely answered.

The clams which were described in the last report as setting in
such abundance on Cornelius Island were kept under observation
throughout the year, and in May were found to be full of ripe
sexual products. On May 25,1900, a large number were carefully ©
examined, and all were ready to spawn. In order to be sure that
the eges were ripe, artificial fertilization was tried, and the result
was as Satisfactory as it has ever been with clams. From 5 per
cent. to 10 per cent of the eggs developed normally. Both the

INLAND FISHERIES. 23

males and females in these experiments were less than two inches
long and were undoubtedly of the set of 1899.

On June 7, a large number of specimens from the same locality
had extruded practically all their eges or sperm, some had ex-
truded a portion, and others were still full of sexual products.

In connection with this observation there are two minor points
of interest namely, first, that the small clams spawned before the
larger ones; and, second, in clams of the same size, those near high
water spawned before those at low water.

In conclusion, and in answer to the original question, it may be
said with certainty that clams spawn during the first year of their

life.

Ls there a second breeding season ?

Between the regular spawning season of June, 1899, and June,
1900, there was another distinct breeding season, probably in the
fall of 1899. The set resulting from this was first discovered in
April, 1900, when the largest specimens were about one-quarter inch
long. The evidence that this was a fall set is that every specimen
had the surface of the shell next to the hinge corroded and dis-
tinctly marked off from the new growth. This condition is never
seen in the summer set, but would be accounted for if the clams
lay for months with almost no growth. The mark persists in these
specimens until they are more than an inch long. By the tenth
of June some of these had grown to 30mm. in length and were as
long as many sexually mature year-old specimens. Photographs
of specimens taken May, 1900, are shown in figure 7.

Ls artificial fertilization of the clam possible and practicable for ob-
taining spat in quantity ?

I have tried numerous experiments on the artificial fertilization
of clams, but with small success. It has not been possible to in-
duce them to lay their eggs like the scallops, and when the eggs
are cut out and fertilized, only a small proportion, 10 per cent.
to 20 per cent., will develop.

24 INLAND FISHERIES.

While, therefore, it cannot be said, at present, that artificial fer-
tilization in case of clams is impossible, the results so far are not

encouraging.

Do clams change their sex as they grow older ?

This question has been raised in regard to the clam and is a
legitimate one, inasmuch as several accounts have been given by
very high authorities that in certain other animals this curious
phenomenon occurs. In these cases the animal is at first a male,
and later a female. Between the two conditions there is a herma-
phrodite stage according the recent researches of W. M. Wheeler
on one of these animals, J/yzostoma. This animal is potentially
hermaphrodite from the first, but in the early stages the eges do
not ripen, although the sperm does, so that they are practically
males,

A large number of clams have been very carefully examined
by means of microscopic sections, or by a microscopic examin-
ation of the lying specimens. These observations may later be
published in detail in connection with appropriate researches,
but the general conclusion arrived at is that there is no such
phenomenon present among the clams, or, in other words, that
the clams do not change their sex.

In the examination of the living specimens there seemed to be
evidence of occasional hermaphroditism, but,it is probable that it

rarely, if ever, occurs.

What are the best methods of obtaining young clams for planting ?

The importance of obtaining spat in quantity is fully recognized
by the oyster culturists, and immense sums of money have been
expended in experiments in this line. For successful clam-culture
it is quite essential that the small clams be obtained in abundance
and with tolerable certainty.

In the case of both clams and oysters the abundance of the set is
subject to great variation from year to year. In the year 1899, for
example, the clam-set was unusually large in nearly all parts of

INLAND FISHERIES. 25

the bay; in 1900 the clam-set was small and the oyster-set exceed-
ingly heavy, so that nearly every available object in the bay was
covered thickly with young oysters. They were even a nuisance
from the fact that they covered over the marketable oysters.

An account is given in the last Report of the abundance of the
clam-set of 1899 and the means of taking the small clams at the
best size for sowing, one-half inch, more or less, in length. These
could be found in great quantities in numerous localities, some-
times where they could not come to maturity owing to the shift-
ing sand. They were thickest on sandy points which, jutting far
out from the shore, were swept at high water by the tides. In
localities of this sort it was shown to be feasible to collect the spat
during July and the first of August by means of asieve. As many
as ten quarts, twenty or thirty thousand specimens, were taken
with one hand-sieve in about half an hour. This method is satis-
factory, therefore, when the clams are thick and the soil is sandy.

Artificial set_—There were several observations made a year ago
which, taken together, pointed to the possibility of obtaiing what

might be called an ‘

‘artificial set:” (1) The natural set is very
uneven in its distribution. In one locality over 20,000 clams were
taken from one square yard, while a few rods away, at the same level,
and in the same kind of soil, there were only a very few scattering
ones to be found. (2) The areas where the set was thick were
situated with peculiar relation to the direction of the tidal currents.
(3) It was found from continuous observation of the skimmings
taken at the surface of the water that from the last of May to the
first of July the free-swimming larve were always and every-
where present in greater or less abundance. (4) It was learned
from watching the free-swimming young which had been captured
that the older ones showed a distinct tendency to stop swimming
and to settle to the bottom when they came in contact with a solid
body or when the dish was jarred. The same tendency had been
noticed in the star-fish larve when they were ready to undergo
their metamorphoses; it is also true of some marine worms, @. g.,

Amphitrite, and probably obtains in a large number of swimming
4

26 INLAND FISHERIES.

larve. The explanation of this instinct is doubtless that by stick-
ing to solid objects, such as stones, shells, sea-weed, ete., the young
stand a better chance of surviving than if they settled indiscrimi-
nately to the bottom to be lost in the mud and slime.

These four facts taken together suggested the possibility of
arranging an artificial barrier which would precipitate and hold
the young as they are carried against it by the tides.

Of several experiments in this direction one was successful be-
yond all expectations. About the middle of May a small box with-
out a bottom was placed on the shore at about half-tide mark, and
covered with galvanized wire gauze having a mesh the size of
mosquito netting. On the 14th of August the box was examined
and was found to contain a set of small clams so thick that they
practically touched one another. From an area of one square foot
1,302 clams were taken, the total bulk amounting to three-quarters
of a pint. Some of them were preserved and are photographed
natural size in figure 1. Most of them were taken to the house-
boat and sowed in a sand-box which was suspended about 18 inches
below the surface of the water. The growth was extremely rapid,
as may be seen by reference to page 43.

This result is of especial value from the fact that there were
practically no clams to be found in the vicinity of the box, and
from the fact that the season was comparatively a poor one for the
clam-set.

If the experiment proves all that it promised, the problem of
obtaining a supply of seed-clams is solved. There may, more-
over, be other and cheaper methods of catching the spat and pre-
cipitating a set than that of using wire gauze. In two or three
cases a considerable set was caught in sand-boxes which lay on
shore uncovered but with sides projecting above the surface of
the sand on the inside as well as on the outside, and in one of the
land tiles which projected a few inches above the surface 13 clams
of this year’s set were found (the tiles were only 2 or 8 inches in
diameter). Further experiments will be tried during the coming
season.

INLAND FISHERIES. 27

2. Rave or BurRRowING.

Among the habits which are of economic importance, either in
view of clam-culture or of replenishing the natural beds, the
habit of burrowing deserves a conspicuous place. In their early
life the clams are free-swimming animals, but soon “ set,” and after
they are several weeks old will never again thrive, however well
they may be protected, unless they are embedded in the soil. The
first attempt at burrowing may be made as soon as the clams quit
the swimming habit, or it may be postponed for a month or two,
according as they happen to fall upon good ground or to set upon
some object at a distance from the soil. At any time during the
first two months of their existence the clams all have a remarkable
capacity for rapid burrowing, a capacity which decreases gradually
as the individual grows older. Indeed, the necessity for burrow-
ing is greater in the small individuals, for they cannot go ger and
they are frequently washed or dug cut.

The experiments which are given below in tabulated form were
made for the purpose of ascertaining (a) how much injury is done
by continually digging up clams which are not noticed by the
digger, or are not large enough to eat; and (b) under what condi-
tions it would be feasible and practicable to sow clams rather than
to plant them, in case one undertook clam cultivation on a large
scale.

The first table records the experiments made at various times
during the summer, and under many varying conditions.

INLAND FISHERIES.

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INLAND FISHERIES.

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xoq pues
xoq purs

xoq pues

xoq pues
xoq pues

xoq pues

xoq pues

Aap

Aap

10}@M
TayeM

19]BM

I9}BM

I0}eM

19 )eM

‘Woy
MOY]

Imoyq ~I
sanoy FZ
SINOU, FS

aimoy +

SInoy FZ

sanog Fz

sfep %
SUNOY $B

SINOY PS

sanoy 0
sanoy 9

sanoy 9

SAMO, PS

‘T

10s Jo no
auwLL

‘panutyuoj—'T ‘ON ATAV,

“qaenb
lod

Joquinu) YySue',) 1a

~4(Na

teseeeeel Gage
Mtsrciaie “+! g6gT
teeerees! gear

teseeeeel Geor

reseeeeel Qoey
rere eee] Qoey
teeeeeee! Qogy

81-9 O06T
G6 6I OOGT
cG-6r 0061

O3-LE OO6T

UU UT

826
GL
99
48

892

FOP

“pamos
19q
-WON

WY OF OL-08'6

“WY OF 0L-08 6

Ty —
“Wed OF ST

“Wd OF ST

"NOON QI
‘N'd p

‘Nd f

‘Wd CISL

“IMoy]

IT
Il
Ir
It

i-

i-

FG
FL
Pr

las

i-

~

&

oun
oun
oun

eune

oun

eune

“sNnY
‘Suy
‘Sny

‘SnV
“Sny
‘Suny

“ony

oye

INLAND FISHERIES.

Gh

‘pamod
-1nq
“quod
10d

91 sanoy gpg [oct
12 sanoy abe [ot
FI sanoy spe fo
9% sanoy ape fot ares
901 SIUOUFe hea es
rive veeeeeeees | We get)
68 SINOURAE a eee
69 samoy ape [cc
oP hooey Aid [eo Qooow oo
19 SUMOURA Pell es eee
of SANoy F% WV TT
98 SAMOY FS WV I
19 SINOY FB ‘NY IL
ol SInOY FS WY TT
IP SANOY FB WY I
9g SAINOY FZ WV IL
FL sanoy $B | ‘WV II-OL
Ig sanoy #3 | “WY T{-OT
| ; ; ‘U0 | : ‘
‘posedxo puysurmos, <value
uaaMy jo amoy
-9q OWL],

las
las
las
Las

oune
oun
oun

oune

§ oune

4 oune

aune
oune
oune

oun

eune
oune
oune
oune
oun

oun

oun

oun

‘uon
-BUTUIe x9
jo aed

ou

ou

pues paey
pues paey
pues piey

pues party

pues 4jos

pues paey
pues paey
pues paey

pues prey

pues pavy
pues paey
pus piey
pues pavy
pues paey

puts paey

[PARIS

[PavAs

ee

SINOY FB
SIMOT FZ
Inoy +I
SUNOY FB
SANOY] FB

anoy $1

SINOT FS

SAMO FS

‘[LlOs Jo yNO
oul,

“‘qaenb
dad
daqunu

—yINg

see wees

sheen

eh eeee

uu UL
(Wysude’y |

ry

46681

OOT
OOT
OOT
oot

GLI

09
O9T
09
O9T

OTT

Col

a i)
eww ewer ewes
Ce

ee

W'Y 08° OT
‘W'V 08 OL
“N'Y 08 OL
“KY 08 °OL
WY 08° OF
“N'Y 08 OF

Behe S101
‘WV +11

gI eune
gr oune
gl oun
sl aune

2, oune

ar eune
ar oune
er ounr

er sung

oF oune

ot
6r
ol

oune
oune
oune
oune

oun

Ir oune

IT eune

30

‘panuyuoj—']T “ON ATAVY,

INLAND FISHERIES. ol

This tabulated statement does not require particular explana-
tion. By glancing over the results of the various experiments
made at different times, a general idea will be obtained of the
proportion of clams which may be expected to burrow when they
are sown on the surface.

On September 13, 14, and 15 a new series of experiments were
made on the burrowing habits, in a more systematic way than had
been done heretofore. The clams selected for these experiments
were separated into four classes which are given successively in
the tables, viz. :

I. Large, 50-70mm. (2-2? inches) in length ; \
re Set of 1899 or
II. Medium, 35-50mm. ; - previous to
that date.
ITI. Small, 25-35mm. ; |

IV. Small set of 1900, 20-30mm.

To insure the protection of the clams while exposed, and to
prevent them from washing away, boxes with 8-inch sides and $-inch
wire mesh bottoms were inverted over the beds. All the clams
were sowed on the surface just as the tide was beginning to rise.

The attempt was made to determine the value of the following
conditions for each class of clams:

a. Sowing clams immediately after diggin

o
>

b. a “kept 24 hours out of water (dry).

a ‘“ «“ if ‘““ in sea-water.

d. - ‘in soil softened by previous digging.
) ue : “ not dug up.

ft ef “In gravel.

q & “in sand.

For convenience in referring to the tables, these letters are
placed in the first column.

INLAND FISHERIES.

32

(8h)

(89)

‘paModing |

ind
t-

¥9

88

qu90 Jed

— o9sejusdl1ed osR10AVy

&1

= «©
—

pesodxe |
JIquUInN |

Sanoy OF

sanoy ST

sanoy OF

sano CT

SINOT PB

sanoy 91

SINOY FZ

sanoy 9T

Sanoy $3

sanoy 91

SAMOT, FB

sanoy 9T

Sanoy Fe

sanoy 9I

SINOY FS

sanoy 9

‘aon
-BULWUEXO

pue SuUIMos)

usa MY
-oq OWL,

WY g
‘WV 086

“WY 8

N'Y 08°6

‘Wd G

‘N'Y 6-8

u0ly
-BUIWIBX9
jo moy

LL ydag
91 ‘ydeag ou [PARIS | 1aJVM | SINOY FB OL-0S | 46681 GZ | ‘W'd 08°9-9
LL 4dag
91 ‘ydag ou [PARIS Aap SInOY Fe OL-OG | 46681 Gg | (Wd 0G'9-9
pl qdeg
PI ydag ou pues JOJBM | SINOY FS 01-0S | 4668T itd ‘Wd G-p
PL dog t
FL 4desg sod pues 19}JBVM | SANOT FS 04-0G | 46681 Gy ‘Wd G-f
pL dos
PL ydes ou pues Aap SANOY FB 4-0 | £6681 GZ ‘Wd G-P
PI “ydag
fl das sok pues Aap SAnoy, Fs 01-06 46681 (or ‘Nd G-P
PL qdag
FI ydog ou pues Aap anoy I 01-0G | 46681 (3 ‘W'd G-p
PL dag
FI “4dag sod pues Aap |anoy — 3qe} OL-0G | A868T Gs W'd G-f
= g! =— of hee = “wee Seaae eo =
g =
uOny ,dn snp = ‘qdoy | [los Joyno| ‘wut ul | yes Jo| GB e
oad : 1108 TOs MO * OUI, yjsuey | 13k ao anoH

gt ‘ydeg

GL 4dog

el 4dag

gl ‘ydag

g1 qdes

ge. 4dag

ef ydeg

§I ydag

aqye

ei)

aq

‘a *D

—p-2

‘aq

se

‘aD

‘T ssv1p

Sl ONG ahbehyayy

ar)
lar)

INLAND FISHERIES.

28

49g — osRyuId1ed a5R1JAY . j
|
ane J sinoy OF ‘WY 8 LI 4deg |
| } |
(@&) ras sanoy ct | “KV 0&6 gf (ydag ou | [OABIS | J9}VM | SANOY FB OS-SE | é668I | Ge | ‘Wa 0g'9-9| GT 4deg bee)
|
0g | ¢ sanoy OF WV 8 LL “4das
(09) Or | Ssanoyst | "W'v 086 | 91 “3deS ou | yoavis | Arp | samoy pe | OG-Ge | 66681 | ¢Z | Wao0g'9-9| GI 4dag 0 q
F8 D sanoy £3 ‘W'd G FI ydag |
(BL) L samoy 9T ‘WV 6-8 FI “ydag ou pues ToyeM | SINOY 'B 0G-S§ 46681 c ‘Kd Gp €I ‘adag | CO as
|
96 I sanoy Fz ‘Wd G FI ydesg |
(PS) | sInoy 9 “N'Y 6-8 FI ydesg sod pues | 1ayeVM | sanoy Fe 0S-SE | 26681 CZ ‘W'd G-p €l‘qdeg | rd)
09 | OL SINOY FB ‘Wd G PI ydas |
(8F) | et | sanoqor | “wv 6-8 | FI3des ou purus Aap | sanoy#e. | ogee | c668 | $8 | ‘Wag-p | gt -4dos | (a0
GG0)\ oT Sanoy FZ ‘Md G PI 4deg
(88) g simoy 9f | ‘KV 6-8 | FI ydes sod pues Aup | sanoy#e | 0¢-cs | 46681 | G&@ | ‘Nach | Grades | “pg
oor | 0 SINOY FB ‘Wd G PI ‘ydeg
(8) P sinoy 9f | ‘KV 6-8 | FI 3des ou pues Aap |+ amoy I os-Se | é668r | Ge | ‘WagG-p | gi 3deg | ‘aD
Fan z SINOy F ‘W'd G br “dag
(P8) Pp sinoy 9f | ‘N'V 6-8 PL -ydasg sod pues Aip | + aoy T OS-GS | 4668T GB Wd C-p qdegin| =p 7
oz [gz] ‘-uon | e2
a ee | eee or ‘u0n du snp ‘qdoy | [los Joqno| ‘wu up “yos yo| 25
39 R pu sUIMOS -BulMexa | -RulUexe /° {109 : Seal ® “NOT ‘oye ‘TT S819
4 g as W99M} jo anoyy jo oye Tos MOH oul YysuayTy | 1v9X oe
5 : -oq awLL

|

‘panuluog—T]T ‘ON ATAV

INLAND FISHERIES.

3B4

06 — osv}Ucd10d aavioay

rae sanoy OF ‘N'V 8 LI adeg
(8h) &I sanoy GT ‘WY 086 91 das ou JOABIS | 1oZBM | SINOY FB ge-co 6681 ce | ‘Wy 089-9| SI ‘ydeg a2

ro

oor | 0 | sanoyor | ‘WV 8 LI ydag

(08) g sanoy gf | “KV 086 | 91 3da9g ou joeavis | Aap | sanoy pe | gg-ce | 668r | G@ |‘M 4 08'9-9| GI 3dag sod
89 8 SINOY FS ‘WadG FI gdes

(PF) as SLnoy OT “WV 6-8 PI ydag ou pues dayeM | SInoy PE cg-Gs 6681 SB “Wd G-P 81 ydas ee)
66 é Sano FG ‘Wd G PI ydag

(92) 9 sanot, 9[ ‘W'V 6-8 PL 4des sod pues 1oyeM | SINOY PE Ge-cs 668T GG ‘W'd G-P 1 “9d9g sf ed
86 (3 SINOL, FS ‘Wd G Fl dag

(PS) b sunoy OT “WY 6-8 PL 4dag ou pues Aap SINLOT FS gs-So 6681 ce ‘Nd Gp eI adeg Ct]
oor | O SINOY PG ‘Wd G PL dag

(96) I Ssanoy 9T ‘NV 6-8 PL ydag sod pues Aap SInoy FB ce-Ge 6681 cy ‘Wd G-p el 9des pa

oot | 0 SANOU, FB ‘Nd G PL adag

ssa[ 10

(96) I samoy OL “HV 6-8 PI adeg ou pues Aap AMoy T Gg-So 6681 Gc “W'd G-f el adog aD
OOT 0 SINOT] PS “NW'd G PL ydag
ssa] 10
(96) 1 | sanoyor | “mv 6-8 | PI'ydeg | sod pues | sap | anoyt | ge-ce | cost | 93 | ‘Wasp | st adeg ‘pp
ey |e2| -uon | | g2
ed eis | eaten MON || a OS othe) ‘qday | ‘los Joyno| ‘wut ut | “yas Jo! 38 : le :
ge | 3e cuales eater | Sait Tos | ROR | wor) aroma | uasuen | awe | Ee | = athe) gree Ee ,
Oo an be}
g =" | oq OWL |

'
|

‘ponuyju0jg— TI ‘ON AIaV

Yen)
ian)

INLAND FISHERIES.

Hg — oesejudoIed ase10AV
th FI sImoy OF HEN Et} 11 4dag
(PS) &@ sinoq ST “H'V 086 91 ‘4dag ou JOABIS | Joye | SINOT PG 08-06 006T 0G ‘w'd 09-9 | SGT ‘4deg ed
See leek soy OF ‘N'Y 8 LI -4des
(F6) g sInopst | “N'Y 086 | 91 “9deS ou joavas | Aap sanoy FB | 08-08 0061 og | ‘Wwaog9-9| gt 3deS |
09 | 0@ | sanoy FZ ‘Wd ¢ PI 4desg
(99) 1% sanoy 9T ‘WY 6-8 PI 4deg ou pues | JoyeM | Simo ps 08-02 006T 0¢ ‘Wd G-p gt ydag a)
88 9 SIMOY FG ‘Wd G fT 4das
(28) 6 sanoy 9T ‘N'Y 6-8 pL ydag sof purs | ‘tayBVM | SINOl FE 08-08 0061 0S ‘Wd o-P $I ‘ydos Es
96 SG SINOY FS Wd ¢ PI 4dag
(F8) 8 Sunol, OT ‘WY 6-8 PI “ydag ou pues Aap SAMO FG 08-06 O06T 0S “W'd G-f gt ydeg a °q
6 € SINOY PG Wd ¢ pI 4deg
(28) 6 simoy QT WY 68 PE ‘ydeg sof pues Aap SINOY PG 08-06 O06T 0g ‘Nd G-p e1 qdag "Pa
oor | 0 SINOY FB “K'd G PI “4dag :
ssa[ 10
(96) G sInoy OT “N'Y 6-8 pI ‘ydag ou pues Aap anoq | 08-08 0061 0S ‘Wd G-P st ydas aw
#6 § SINOT $B ‘Wd G PI “4deg
sso] 10
(36) P samoy 9T ‘N'Y 6-8 #1 4deg sod pues Aap anoy T O€-06 0061 0g ‘Wd c-p | [gt ydeg wy
ES Ei Z Gants “uoly “m01y : g Z
a Ob ie ; 7 4du snp) . ‘ydey | [los Jo yno| ‘wu Ut | “yos Jo 5 5 5 .
os puv Suimos) -eulmexe | -BulUlexo [10s : , @ mmoy e718 AL Ssv1
4 g bz on nounda qeema | 18 MOH eu, | yysaoy| wax ag o
a° 7 = wT,

‘ponutyyu0g— ‘TI ‘ON ATAV,

36 INLAND FISHERIES.

An examination of the experiments here tabulated shows some
interesting results which may be briefly stated as follows.

Of the three classes of clams which were more than one year old
the smaller specimens were most successful in burrowing, the
middle ones next, and the largest clams least suecessful. The
fourth class composed of specimens a few months old were slightly
less successful than the third.

Of the I (50-70mm.) class, under all conditions..70 per cent. burrowed.

UL (GD ROTMIN Nb was atcoseeueengouasen odd: 85 per cent. ze
QB (Os-Sisi init hoeeodaccge sa-nbS.o ase ano opac 90.5 per cent. "J
LV O-s0 mim; FAO00).. goss «ho aleetnnte ake > «bie 87.7 per cent. .

The effects of the varying conditions may be stated as follows :

(a) Planted immediately after digging (1 hour or less).

Glas Six ee < cgret tet serererers ete ercatn ote coe teers Recreranye tae 72 percent. burrowed:
SO OTN, »: As thee sec ceetate tel save eames EE es a occ a 96 per cent. ty
C6 OTIS els casera hs eee temete mee feet enevere afete oeeaetRe Mon or eke anyon eT 100 ~=—per cent. se
RE ISTO oe og eh eR Aa a ae cee ee tee a 97 per cent. cs

Average per cent. = 91.2

G1 T len DAR Seweicieai Onion, SOR 5 Steer area 68 per cent. burrowed.
6 PLN 2 oer ees ee Ree Me Reacts este deve mused che 78.6 per cent. isd
REO Gi Gl Manresa tees On Sune Auer A CEA ah ct O A ts 97.3 per cent. ae
GCS TN Mites Weice, avs retalansvels Gr dts ateaseeore ria tere oneaumneree eee eAS 96 percent. i

Average per cent. = 84.9

(c) Kept in water 24 hours between digging and sowing.

Olags. dl. .-#ee) etek eh OR oo eee ehcnae Seee 70.6 per cent, burrowed.
nie ERE tg sie ee aero io era.) Ala a tails Coleg eater 84.0 per cent. ui
ies 6 Gl Perens ty ena ae MacieGincu man bois Ar 77.3 per cent. ba
Phe 8] BWV ate sh ine mea leita hho Steak sloucte eae Gikckerman Sees 73.3 per cent. ‘

Average per cent. = 76.3

INLAND FISHERIES.

(d) Soil dug up before sowing.

(MR Kotick AE RFRE. ORO AY ae eRe oceeenane
6 rT lel a lta a a
he TTC 6, ie RS BA a 5 ea Bes a SE
IR eH oc teaiee sala s Em Reo Rois wcwtate abe

Average per cent. =

(e) Soil not dug up before sowing.

CIAGE) 1D URE Re Mendis Beer nicte Caan emic cae eee Rt
CON TES Ge, Paces caocede chaps eee eee ae ea CIEE teri noe
Bee ML 22 cays SE RY Uh Nek RII A ela
RMU ME TRE Me aaa eRe GES Nie Victohere Saree Sikes oo

a 8

MMMD ie aire ais oe hd igca a'g ida fb eae ss ladys 918

ce WA

(g) Gravel.

(OTR) Sh J CRE a od ee et I era oh eons eR
CS 1 ie ate i SA ee se Se AR ASS RECESS CNC eC GAPS
SUMMIT ee es Soret rt he eG Sana bard ce Saves
PMN AST ENO AL icy, GOLA oft to Th ASC ly NER Mee: 0

Average per cent. =

Summary: The average per cent. of all clams

ey aioli ina ele) s) Wia)(d)ee)iw ms ee) wo le\@, (wa elise) wiles se lee 6a) a) aie

per cent.

oT

per cent. burrowed.

ee
“e

se

. burrowed.

. burrowed.

6s
se

ee

burrowed.
iad
se

ee

83.4 burrowed.

The average per cent. of those planted immediately after digging..... 91.2
* oe of those dry 24 hours after digging ............ 84.9
i re of those in water 24 hours after digging ....... 76.3
i ee of those in dug up soil before sowing.......... 91.6
i < of those in soil not dug up before sowing...... 78.3

38 INLAND FISHERIES.

The general conclusion of the chapter is—that clams of an inch
or less in length can be sown broadeast with little loss from their
not burrowing; that as they increase in size their capacity for
burrowing decreases, so that for larger clams planting and cover-
ing is necessary; clams are best sown as soon as possible after
digging, but if they are to be transplanted from one place to
another they are better kept dry than in water.

3. Rate or GROWTH.

As was pointed out in the report of last year, this is an impor-
tant question in view of any attempt to regulate the natural clam
production and to rear clams artificially.

It was clearly proved by the experiments of 1899 that the rate
of growth of the clam, like that of the star-fish, varied within
wide limits, according to the conditions of life, and a number of
experiments were undertaken during the last summer to furnish
more definite data bearing upon this question.

These experiments were begun in April, and during the early
part of the season the clams used were those of the set of 1899,
and were, therefore, nearly a year old.

According to the methods of planting, the experiments were di-
vided into three classes :

1. Clams planted in beds on the shore.

2. Clams planted in boxes, about 6x4 feet and 8 inches deep,
filled with sand and anchored in various places.

3. Clams planted in boxes, with the bottom made of wire net-
ting (4-inch mesh) and filled with sand. The object of this scheme
was to allow the sand to be sifted out leavmg the clams for ex-
amination.

Owing to an unaccountable mortality of the clams during the
latter part of the summer (a problem for further investigation),

INLAND FISHERIES. 39

many of the experiments were never finished. Later in the season,
after the arrival of the set of 1900, further experiments were made
with the young clams.

A brief record of some of these experiments, including the
essential conditions and the results, is given in the following
tables :

40 INLAND FISHERIES.
hime . al ls
Weslo Vee | ues. ls
Experiment | a) o wo aS £ | Position in tide- Depth
Pastel ss} aod qo a Remarks.
number. | = | o&o tr aS ag a water. planted.
pets es te ah ee lic
fe | 6 iain a 4A
ieee | |
Libediaecsen 11899) Aprili2i|.......0.5 192° | W6s Half tides. seinen Four inches.|1 quart planted......... seoee
2beds...... 1899 PANINI | a terercketer crs 192 | 16 SON Bie ereteravaccts H i | a ES ly aielaiotelstertieare .
yeh "Abacos 1899 April25|) *25-38 176 16 Sion Weert er a eects ws TEs coker wees
Ae tanto 11899) April 27|.......... 160 | 16 Just below half
| | | tide............e. th . sr teen ee eeee
| | |
Bilas mete 1899 April 88).....0000. 192 | 16 |Low tide.......... se “ “ i=
(} tS obgaced 1899 May 10, *82-41 140 | 32 Half Gide) sere icsenes Just covered. ee oY Sessions SeiSeine
rh Me a oaeee 1899 Whe 0) Seotmonoce 228 382 ve weeseeeeeee(HOur inches. |1% pints planted............
Rh keene '1899|May 10|.......... 256 | 32 Seg yA eres es Ss Ne 2
| |
Oe Sue peste: 11899|May 14]........5. 96 6 | SEY ee Saree ete sent Just covered. 1 pint planted....... Sielaisieeieie
el |
| | | |
10 boxes,...../1899)May 3).......... LON Pere [LUO WEULGLO) oretateletatetars |Four inches./1 quart planted.............+
Thhatghe = cen '1899/May 5].......... 200 |.... Just below low tide % ry War eae sea ate
|
2 ose \1899|May 5).......... 266 |.... Under1 ft. of water
| | at low tide...... is s REOOSC swans
1S WSS ARGO Lary: slikllreeeevenine 175 |....|Under3 ft. of water
| | | | |, at low tide...... i Sy a focoo ‘
fa Sel tren 1899, May 11).....-.... ROO I), |LOW tde-s.se.0e. = . “ as aikeSogtatzes
| | |
| | | |
Panwa Jud
15 wire boxes 1899 May 24).... ..... 25a) ||;per (ale C106... samen e ee st eG dee
| |
ner Ue 1899|May 24].......... GRO SIN HE civs''sasan| i '2 quarts planted....... 0.0.45
17 a 1899)May 25).......-... 211 |.3..| es Me reece = 814 pints planted............
18 ts |1899|May 25|.......... 140(?)|....| Sy Pe ra Ae | '1 quart planted...... Pie ae ei
| | |
19 7 T899 JMNM re oietatevetelere is taal (ei 2 ft. water at low 1
| ||. Ides, fcseanecerscae | ty Mieieoavee ast vias) RISO ig testes F
ee
| | | |
20 boxes. ....,1900'Aug. 3) 18-29 1,200 | WGOW i etidi@s, <aietesisyers |Sowed....... PreS@P VE... sccelemectateee sitar
Pili Une nants 1900 Aug. 3) 13-20 1,200 |....\/Near high tide..... com eee MEER Potro abn cc0 00
Bd Shae 1900 Aug. 7) 12-31 1,200 |....(Low tide.......4«. Wangs 9 ooh hone ee rite
cae cigs ae 1900 Aug. 7) 12-81 1,200 |....|Nearhigh tide.....! “ ....... oe
BOSON Sie '1900| Aug. 14]......... 760 .... House-boat, 114 ft. |
under water..... Se wished Compare experiment No. 25.
Zayas Mince 1900;Aug. 14).......... 760 . House-boat, 8 ft.
} below water..... PRS. laveheve Greate Compare experiment No. 24.
Ge Ti ewe niete 1900 Aug. 14| 5-17 8,472 - House-boat, 1% ft.
under water..... ‘Four inches. 34 pint from 1 square foot.
| Artificial set.... .....> ates
Aaa SR ea 1900 Aug. 14 5-17 8,472 |.... House-boat, 11% ft.
under water..... | ‘

* Estimate

\Artificial S€G.%....0 «0 Solaire
|

INLAND FISHERIES.

41

|

CGS. auc + 1
to Leneth 3 ae 2 a.8 ce rai
S : =| xs 25 Re ob a 4 3 er
S| in mille] 25] 82 [B229/33 Bae
=] nm O28&ko|” os on
£5 meters. = & E 5 ESS BES) 55 Fy
A ~ vAe Borla 4.5 2
Sept. 10) 50-70 36 86 202) 433 | 21 per ct.
| eee 124 6 42) 56/1 =“
wune 25)....... eats 75 12 83 | 134 15 H
|
leh 90 12 82 7 LU want
STO ee AINE a deca awa e et eho
BUIIYNES LON a 5:5. wxase bletevelare 90 22 ae 55 | 12 per ct
Aug. 20 48-59 54 30 101 322 | 32 +t
PUTCO TO). 6:00.00 0505 135 12 43 89 | 19 oe
TS 32 24 94 200 | 21 ii
BODE. By ec cc. ccs ae 46 105 178 269 14 ef
MEHInt Meenas {|\ieic ccs | cccteeserilisesswesclocceoel sc cuweece cee
REIS 13 sloicla sag os 50 137 175 | 482) 24 per ct
Rea ianl An asi ale ines ears |ienenegs laminae Via thats tse
Ts GilabAcedca chon! @dbood| SOCRACEO Oe] POECBCCS et] (iat im
TE Sanh b ase RSS eee (eeaae matetaillersicleta'=,| aie Aneerentee tte
June 25 38-40 125 69 4% 40 9 per ct
June 25 32-41 140 70 43 50 11 “s
TEERA) C3 86..2 os dco EES GC Oona Al Sean ed Dee me
HTT 4] aed Godin Aa) eens] ae ata aforernllaoreiaveretorellhe mishere'o|| erateteieusvertavae
Bept. 21]....... serese| 20D ||neie vec ces 7 485 | 69 per ct
MEADS Vorl| a0 21s /e'esblv els 0 BOO ri eacce goss in 200 | 29 >
BMS. 21 a's :0ic)e sree cine louie ae csaine 2 63 472 | %3 re
s
Ne ase Bi eee clecec|:, ) 88i| 278.) AB
aieeiaatare ataininia | WE LOO | teisig telccale ote 102 322 | 31 ‘
AF AAC ABBE HOS es dea naltcls 102 603 | 60 ee
25-44 177 siete 52 1861) 85a". *
Average 49} 119 |.......... 88 1894 | 213

Remarks.

31 alive, 75 dead shells, and many more pieces
of shells.

| Preserved June 25th.

| Shells showed two months or more of growth.

| Preserved August 20th.

Seven found alive.

Were twice the length of
those planted.

One found alive. Dead shells showed increase in
length of 50 per cent.
All dead.

Only three alive.

.| Preserved June 25th.

Preserved June 25th.

Four found alive. Increased in length 14.

Seven found alive. Increased 214 times length.

.| Preserved.

Sand-box had high sides.
next experiment,

Compare growth with

|

See page 25.

42 INLAND FISHERIES.

Class 1. Set of 1899 planted in beds on shore, Nos. 1-9.—The
clams were assorted according to their size, and their size is re-
corded in terms of the number per quart.

In the tables the column at the left shows the conditions at plant-
ing, and those at the right the results at the time of digging, with
the rate of growth.

It was hoped that the difference in the rate of growth at half-
tide and low-tide marks could be shown by these experiments,
but the clams planted at low tide fared lke those in experiment
5, 7. é., they were nearly all dead when examined in the summer,
the empty shells, however, showing that they had lived about two
months and that the mortality was sudden, although the cause is
not known.

The results as they stand have some interesting features. A
glance at the last column shows that the increase in bulk averaged
from 9 per cent. to 382 per cent. per week. Upon comparing the
dates of digging it will appear that the specimens dug up early in
‘the season have the smaller average increase ; in other words, the
growth is more rapid in the latter part of the season. This may
be accounted for by supposing that the clams grow faster after
they spawn.

Class 2. Planted in boxes, Nos. 10-14.—These clams fared as
badly as those planted in the beds—a sudden death carried them
off after they had increased to about twice their original length.
By comparing the two more successful experiments it will be
noticed that the clams which were covered all the time by water
increased more rapidly, a result In harmony with the conclusions
arrived at the previous year, and stated in the last report, viz. :
that the growth of the clam is more rapid when they are sub-
merged a greater part of the time.

Class 8. Wire bores.—The unfortunate experiments of this class
speak for themselves.

Class 4. Set of 1900 in boxes, No. 25 and 25a.—These experi-
ments are satisfactory and instructive. They are remarkajgle, also,
since the boxes containing the fest four experiments were of the

1 A

a

INLAND FISHERIES. 43

same kind and placed in the same locality as some of those in
which other clams died earlier in the season.

Comparing the results in experiments 20-23 with one another,
the average increase per week varies from 29 per cent. to 73 per
cent., and the difference in growth at low tide and high tide with
other conditions exactly similar is brought out in the clearest
possible manner, namely, the per cent. of increase per week in the
box at high tide are 29 and 42; in the box at low tide they are 69
and 73.

The next two experiments (24-25) are also very instructive. The
clams in these two were from the same lot. In experiment 24 the
clams were put in a small box about.18 inches deep, with a few
inches of sand in the bottom, and the box was suspended near the
surface of the water at the house-boat. The average increase per
week is only 31 per cent. In experiment 25 the regulation shallow
box was used, but was lowered 8 feet below the surface. In this
box the increase was 60 per cent. per week. These two experiments,
in my opinion, demonstrate two points clearly: (1) That clams
will thrive at a considerable distance below the surface, if other
conditions are favorable; and (2) that an apparently shght inter-
ference with the free circulation of water over the clams, like that
occasioned by the high sides of the box in experiment 24, makes
vast differences in the rate of growth—probably by decreasing the
food supply.

Experiments 26 and 26a may be described as one, since 26a 1s
only a continuation of the previous experiment.

These clams belong to the “artificial set” described on page
26. They were gathered from the small box on the shore, having
been precipitated from the water while in the free-swimming con-
dition. They were transferred on August 14th to a shallow sand-box
suspended about a foot beneath the surface at the house-boat.
The growth was more rapid than in any clams thus far described.
When planted, 1,302 specimens made about three-quarters of a pint,
and at this rate 3,474 would have made a quart (see Fig.1). On
September 20th the average weekly increase was 352 per cent.

44 INLAND FISHERIES.

The weekly average up to October 15th was somewhat diminished,
being 213 per cent. The size at this date is shown in Fig. 4.

I may here once more refer to the effect of varying conditions.
on growth, for the box was within a few feet of experiment 24 in
which the box had high sides (referred to above). But especially
I would eall attention to the two smaller specimens in Fig.3, which
are the same age as the larger in the group, but were left on the
shore in the original box covered with a piece of wire gauze which
prevented free circulation of water.

Clams planted in land-tiles.—In the middle of July, 1899, some
specimens of the set of the previous month were planted singly in
land-tiles which were set in the ground vertically, the specimens
measuring from 12 to 15mm. On September 18, 1899, some of
them were measured, and the growth was found to have been re-
markable. The larger specimens then measured 46mm. One of
these, together with a small clam of 12mm. (to show the original
size in July), was photographed, and the figure is reproduced in
this report (Fig. 6). Some of the tiles were left undisturbed until
September 10, 1900, when three of these clams were found in them.
They measured 65, 74, and 78mm., or about three inches. The
largest was at the lowest level on the shore. One of these is
photographed in Fig. 7; it is a specimen known to be one year and
four months old. The surface of the shell was still covered with
the skin which is usually rubbed off, and there is no line of growth,
owing to the fact that the clam was not disturbed during its life
of more than a year in the tile. These specimens demonstrated
also as clearly as could be desired that it is necessary to dig up
the soil in order that the clams may thrive.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

The following figures illustrating some of the new experiments
on the rate of growth are reproductions of life-size photographs
of species which have been preserved in the same order as they
are arranged in the figures, and can thus be referred to any time.

Pirate I.

Fig. 1. Clams of “ Artificial Set” caught from swimming larvee

(page 26). Dug and preserved, August 14, 1900.

Fig. 2. Clams of “ Artificial Set” reared in sand-box August

14 to September 8, at house-boat (page 48).

Puate ITI.

Fig. 3. The large specimens are clams of “ Artificial Set”
reared from August 14 to September 20, 1m sand-box at house-
boat. Two smaller specimens: ‘ Artificial Set” left from August
14 to September 20 in the original box on shore, and covered with
wire gauze (page 43).

Fig. 4. Clams of “Artificial Set” reared from August 14 to
October 15, in the sand-box at house-boat. The two specimens on
the upper row, and the left-hand one in the middle row, show the
lines of growth resulting from slightly filing the edge of the shell
on September 20 (page 44).

Prate Il.

Fig. 4.

Pane veT,

Fig. 5. The larger specimen was taken September 18, 1899,
from a land-tile set in the mud on the shore (Wickford) at low-
water mark. It was placed in the land-tile on July 22,1899, when
it was the size of the smaller specimen. The difference in size

represents two months’ growth (page 44).

Fig. 6. One of the land-tile specimens planted July 18, 1899,
when of the size of the smaller specimen in Fig. 5, and dug on
September 10, 1900 (page 44). It is, therefore, about a year and

three months old.

Prats ITI.

Prare FV.

Fig. 7. Specimen of the fall (3) set of 1899 taken in April, 1900.
(They show the small corroded piece of the shell next the hinge
which represents an old growth. The greater part of the shell is

new growth (page 23).

PiLatTe IV,

Pig. t

aa

——.
=

or f=
i)

e<S\ om

INLAND FISHERIES. 45

IX. ContTrnvep WorkK ON OFF-SHORE FISHERIES.

The U.S. schooner “ Grampus” visited the tile-fish grounds
again this year and brought in a large quantity of tile-fish, which
were distributed in the markets of the principal cities of the east.
The fish is now becoming favorably known among consumers.

X. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE Hasits AND Lire-HISTORY OF THE
SCALLOP.

The scallop-fishing in Rhode Island is in imminent peril, and
every one who is acquainted with its history knows that unless the
industry is protected by effective legislation it will become defunct.
No one appreciates this more keenly than the scallop fishermen
themselves ; that they do not protect the scallops is not strange,
for the law is not sufficiently explicit, nor the enforcement as effi-
cient even as it might be.

The immediate reason for undertaking study of the life-history
and habits of the scallop was to gather information, by inquiry,
observation, and experiment, which would afford a scientific basis
for effective legislation.

The investigation was intrusted to Mr. Jonathan Risser, A. M.,
of Brown University, under the direction of Dr. A. D. Mead.

ye git Sahat ora pled <r onli

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heh Sear TS Ty ye seat afi abte ye eh thaw Jette rey i Bi dient

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AI Wy phed! sid cae ‘ada ‘pian vy Manabi
LLAZEL I aI eet. Ty eta aetay De Ceara ie: tas ar lgsientatl Vt) ung
sean leg EA st Neeek eles Tice ea ote Sc eee Si gh olteiten

igicua pete Fein Ag a RR eR velit Lycee ent! ERY EL hi Mi

4 Tn
a

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1 COUT ae ee O82 Sa Wesiabeust Wea nal Sonex isa ou

My eee
nih eu te i) rea ir fatkt a wl you ay Wud cient! ape 8 it] !

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cNwoe

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onde Sify pl i tas

4

yma ideas (Sheath “senile dal gti Gy rie ee ar siphons NE )
Meare th ned Uy ily et Vaan ers ea hm Sok iba unt oy

suey Ak ye thes Oa” ee babar wR nnintie p7aeheme
aD sito satya ya
Ay iL ae 4 1 fi Algeitur ds Jeh o e aera)! SL EM ran
tor Cn eae ca AL etn am i retin “at
!
:
\

HABITS AND LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SCALLOP

(PECTEN IRRADIANS.)

PRELIMINARY REPORT.

By JONATHAN RIssER, A. M.,

BROWN UNIVERSITY.

—__———

The conditions of the occurrence of scallops at Wickford, R. I.,
during the last few years affords an unusually favorable oppor-
tunity for solving the problems of the growth and breeding-habits
of this shell-fish. In the spring of 1899 there were practically no
scallops in the vicinity of Wickford, but in the summer of the
same year an abundant set of young scallops made its appearance.
This fact has simplified the problem of following the development
of a certain set because it obviates the possibility of confusing the
set of two successive spawning-seasons. The record of the observa-
tions which have so far been made will be given in answer to the
following questions:

When is the breeding-season of the scallop ?

What are the breeding-habits ?

Can the eges be artifically fertilized ?

What are the habits of the fry ?

What are the habits of the young scallops after they have set ?
What is the rate of growth ?

At what size and age does the scallop first spawn ?

Does the scallop spawn more than once ?

What is the normal length of life ?

ae oe SS eee

48 INLAND FISHERIES.

1. When is the breeding-season of the scallop ?—-In order to make
sure of the time of breeding, the scallops of the set of 1899 (the
only set then present at Wickford) were examined at intervals
through the winter and spring of 1900, and the condition of the
developing eggs and spermatozoa were observed. By the middle
of May all the specimens were apparently nearly ready to spawn.

On the 8th of June several specimens which were being kept in
aquaria at the house-boat extruded their eges in great quantities,
and from this time until July they continued to spawn. It is
difficult to fix the exact limits of the breeding-season, but it be-
gins about the first of June and reaches its height about the
middle of the month. In July nearly all the specimens had dis-
charged their eggs.

It would be a fair statement to say that the scallops spawn in
June.

2. What are the breeding-habits ?—The scallop differs in one
striking particular from our other edible shell-fish, the clam and the
oyster. It is an hermaphrodite, the eggs and spermatozoa being
developed in the same individual, while in the clam and oyster the
sexes are separate. If the scallop be opened in May, when it is
sexually ripe, a bright orange-colored mass will be observed ; this
is made up of an immense number of eggs packed closely together.
The spermatozoa lie in a whitish mass near this place, but do not
occupy so much space. The eggs are extruded into the water as
in the case of the clam and oyster, there to be fertilized by sperm,
for the most part probably from other individuals. However, in
the aquarium on some occasions, when a single specimen was
kept by itself, eggs were laid and fertilized by the sperm of the
same individual. A few of them developed for a time, but not so
well as in other cases; whether this was due to the self-fertilization
or not is a question not definitely settled.

By watching the spawning of the animals it was observed that
they extruded their eggs, not little by little through several days,
but the whole mass, probably more than a million in number, were
discharged in the course of an hour and a half.

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: . rr mi 4 : “4¥ x Py A ;
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PHOTOGRAPHS.--LIFE SIZE.

Prare I. Set of 1900, Greenwich Bay. Upper two rows taken
between August Ist and August 15th. Lower three rows, speci-

mens taken between August 15th and September Ist.

|
|
(
|

*
— &

/* ”

m

|
'
{
'

KC
e
G

oy erie,

Puare Il. Set of 1900, Greenwich Bay. Upper two rows
show average size in September. Average on September 10th,
25mm. Average on September 24th, 29.5mm. The two shells in the
lower row at the right were kept in the car from September 10th to
October 13th. Third row, average size for October under natural
conditions, 34.56mm. Fourth row. Shells kept in car on house-
boat from September 10th to October 16th.

Prats Il.

tee oe oe

~
_ =
a) Wwe

Puate IIT. Set of 1899, Wickford. The average size on Octo-

ber 2d, 1899, was 42.5mm.

Puare TV. Set of 1899, Wickford. Average on December 4th, a
Be.

1899, 44.35mm. Taken on shore. ie : ia

Prare V. Set of 1899, Wickford. These were taken from the
deep water in the channel January 11th, 1900. Average of lot,
55mm.

d

iM

ne

Pirate VI. Set of 1899, Wickford. ‘Taken from the ce water | ‘i

in the channel March 20, 1900. Average, 56.8mm.

Puare VIL. Set of 1899, Wickford. Taken from the deep water a
in the channel April 21, 1900. Average, 58.3mm. Ne

Prats VII.

—

— th

Prate VIII. Set of 1899, Wickford. Taken in shallow water — a
May 30th, 1900. Average, 60.7mm. Very little growth has been

evident in the months since January.

I

f

7
!

;
i.
Wo

w
S

2 es

=e

ae 22 ha

PuarE IX. Set of 1899, Wickford. Specimens taken between
July Ist and July 12th, 1900, from shallow water. Average, July
Ist, 1900, 60.5mm. These all show the “line of erowth,’ which
only made its appearance at the time of spawning. After spawn-

ing the growth of the shell goes on rapidly.’

X.

=
9

aes / are S faa ae ak a Te ay it) ee Lay i> oe

a - : q he | ;
ae ; 4 RO) ake ee as); Cink ON x
MPD. 240. Gp See a ae kre | Seite Sent ey es ened eg fs) sd 5+ sep o

< 4 ’ ‘ ce y : = i, |
; “ by ‘ ° > = zy > J } -

Prare X. Set of 1899, Wickford. August 1,1900. Specimens
taken from channel. Average of lot measured 62.75mm. A large
increase of growth is shown at this time. /

per pa Sh eae Mca ne eee eae ee :
aig ye LS ee nee Ts, Sate eee he eee ress

PuaTE XI. Set of 1899, Wickford. Taken September 18th, 1900, —
from channel. Average, 71.6mm. Growth has gone on rapidly
during August and September.

ie

Prare XII. Set of 1899, Wickford. Taken October 16th, 15
Average, 79mm. Growth has gone on rapidly during the-

months.

~
=
ai
&
S|
=|
jaa

wa

+ ‘
{
re
y
-
‘
f +
i
i 4
‘
f id
A i
’ i
y
’
.

Pe ee ae a ee ee OO a a ree
é : = Ei 460-2 . al ; ' oo? == ee

PuaTe XIII. Set of 1899, Wickford. Taken November 6th, 1900.
Average, 8lmm. Note the “line of growth” and its relation to the
free edge of the shell. Compare with sets of July and August.

x3 A. pacer Sf RN? wR _— ”
Sy =, Se sm Fe >
Ck e t

in, .

4
=
_
‘a
SI
a
4
py

a a es a ee ae a
c > a < > 7

» See = . ad
he rT axe PAS iS re ae ofan, =e Af *, we «4 et a eel
eT > avi gs 2 = ao . = ord on i/eer ny) > > Gia
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~ we hs ; J i eee .
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. *
7
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- = -
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-
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; : =
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4. a
~ 7
’
. cf

Prare XIV. Set of 1899, Wickford. Taken December 3d, 1900.
Average, 86.8mm. Growth has still been going on during Novem-
ber. At this date the specimens were very uniform in their dimen-

sions.

ay

mane» MOSES
le” APY. Sih :

oe

ee ee ee ee —— a ge ay SS Se ee oe ey we (Op Lamha oat OE Sr
So ee “Tee ry
A

Pia = RN ee gee AS. ee {anna tsneCr eae
< A * .

ae ae Sa ? . “e, ; i ps : LS . “o Sh Tis

Puate XV. Set of 1899, Wickford. Taken January 11th, 1901.
Average, 84mm. In the lot taken at this time were many below
the normal. This reduces the average somewhat. Some measured

as much as 97mm.

Pema

PLATE XV.

aes *s

nme gp ear inten po
r

'

INLAND FISHERIES. 49

3. Can the eggs be fertilized artificially 7—From the 8th of June
to the end of the month it was possible to obtain eges and sperm
from the scallop and fertilize the eggs artificially. It was dis-
covered, after several experiments in dissecting the animals to ob-
tain the eggs, that if the ripe scallops were allowed to remain for
a few days after being collected they would of their own accord
discharge the eggs and sperm. The eggs were, as a rule, dis-
charged at a different time from the sperm, and, therefore, by
keeping the individuals in separate dishes, the eggs could be ob-
tained unfertilized before the sperm was extruded. In this way
they could, of course, be fertilized at any particular moment which
was desired.

4. What are the habits of the young fry ?—In the appearance
of the eggs and the characteristics of the early stages the scal-
lops bear a close resemblance to the clam and oyster. The eggs
are spherical and very small, about y;457 inch in diameter. They
are fertilized in the sea-water and then immediately commence the
series of internal changes which result in successive alterations in
structure and in external form of the microscopic fry.

From the experiments in artificial fertilization, material was
furnished in abundance for the study of the stages heretofore un-
known in the case of the scallop. An account of the details of
the development will not be given here, but only some of the gen-
eral features.

During the first 12 hours after fertilization the eggs he motion-
less on the bottom. At the end of this period they commence to
rotate slowly at first, but with increasing rapidity. By the time
they are 36 hours old they swim with considerable rapidity, and
are constantly in motion. There is no increase in size from the
time the eggs are fertilized to the time they begin toswim. Growth
begins soon after this, however, and in the following days of
ceaseless activity the minute creatures are swimming in quest of
food. Throughout the free-swimming period they are like the ‘
larvee of other forms in being very sensitive to light, and are at-

tracted or repelled by it according to various circumstances. By

Yn
‘

50 INLAND FISHERIES.

the time they are 48 hours old the shells are formed with a shape
characteristic of the scallops and distinguishing them from other
shell-fish in the corresponding stages of development.

How long the scallop remains in the swimming stage is not
known. There are obvious difficulties in the way of confining
such minute and active creatures, and at the same time giving
them a free circulation of water.

They were kept for four days, however, in the swimming condi-
tion, and it is hoped that during the next summer the duration of
the free-swimming period may be ascertained.

5. What are the habits of the young scallops after they have set ?
—The actual changes undergone when the swimming “larvae”
sets and becomes attached to the eel-grass, sea-weed, ete., awaits
investigation. The setting doubtless occurs from June 1 to July
1, when the young are still of microscopic size. Throughout
August and even in September the newly set scallops may be
found in the eel-grass attached to the grass or sea-weed by byssus
threads like those which are spun by the mussels and the young
of the soft clam.

6. What is the rate of growth under natural conditions ?—This
problem has received a good share of attention because of its
economic as well as biological interest, and also because the
opportunities for solving it were, at Wickford, exceptionally favor-
able. The systematic observations on the rate of growth were
begun in October, 1899, on the set of the previous June, and have
been continued up to January, 1900. The record, therefore, covers
the period from the 4th to the 18th month of the life of the 1899
scallops.

The method employed is as follows. A large number (200-1,000)
of specimens were taken at intervals, usually of about a month, and
carefully measured with calipers, and the average size obtained
for each date.

This method is satisfactory and gives a faithful record of the
growth because there is only a comparatively slight variation in the
size of the individuals of the same set at any one time. For in-

1900.

from

,

1901

ah
4%
Ze

January,

to

from August J to December,

1899,

rom October,

99,

RT showing curve of Rate of Growth of set of 18

akeeaageen

7.

EST Ey
poeagonensy

%

i

INLAND FISHERIES. 51

stance, in the 200 measurements taken on Dec. 4, 1899, the extreme
sizes were 36mm. and 56mm. This uniformity of size among
the scallops may be accounted for by the fact that the breeding-
season is short, and that the conditions of obtaining food are less
variable than for many species.

The following is a list of the average length of the specimens
on the various dates, with references to the plates illustrating the -
size and appearance of the scallop. The figures are from life-size
photographs in every instance :

1899 Set, Wickford.

October DAS ee a AD STN Si, ey se: Plate ITI.
_OTESTIT] cfs) gies c: OUR tala ge eee Sy ase ee See aie Os

2 LUTE ga 05 lal 1810) ee eee 5, a ao) aN:
‘March 0 a ee eae (Rs eke Seat» ater gee I
April ene a ee es ay eae ae Beem) 8B be
May Bieec erect cites SOA a a lS Ses Wea
July ey coe ios CUE ats Ne Cones yee ASS:
August tlie Gi pek Maha ae eke GOT. Ava ene:
Beptomber 18 “ ...... TIN Pe De ene Pee Pe eam
Bretoer= 1G) 8 eee sw chs (eae ee tt, Saleh
INWowember 16,0 “soso a sie ce ee a, O18
Wreeeminer, Oo) “eo Sees bu re aL. & pe Sees eae VE
ganeatye: 11,1901 2. 2.4.4) Sy wee] eee OF ne G0

The interesting features of this record of growth can be pointed
out more readily by reference to the curve plotted in the accom-
panying diagram. In the curve the heavy dots indicate the date
of measurement and the average size taken from the preceding’
table, 7. ¢., the vertical distance of any dot represents the size of the
scallops in millimeters as indicated by the scale on the side, while
the horizontal distance of this dot from the left side represents
the age of the scallop as indicated by the scale on the bottom
line. By connecting the dots with a line we have a curve which

represents graphically the rate of growth.

52 INLAND FISHERIES.
Where the curve is steep, the growth is rapid; where it is on the
level, there is no growth.

It will appear at once from the curve that the growth continued
rapidly through the fall and early winter, 7. e., between October 2d
and January 11th.

After the January measurement the growth becomes slow and
continues slow until the first of August. This is the period of the
growth that is of particular interest, for the slow growth continues
not only through the cold months from J anuary to April, but
through May, June (June being the month of least growth), and
a part of July. In August the rapid growth begins again and
continues, in the warm and cold months alike, up to December.

It is evident, therefore, that the temperature of the water does
not to any very great extent determine the rate of growth of the
seallop.

Cessation of growth and its relation to the breeding-season.—It has
already been stated (p. 48) that the sexual products develop in
the body of the scallop during the winter and spring. In May
the glands are distended with eggs, and in June nearly all the
eggs are laid. There is, therefore, a striking correspondence be-
tween the slow growth from January to July and the develop-
ment of the sexual products. .As soon as the spawning-season is
past the rapid growth begins again.

Line of growth.—In old scallops there is a plainly marked line
running across the shell, parallel with the margin, which is called
the line of growth, and upon it the fishermen base their judgment
of the age of the scallop. What is the explanation of this line,
and what does it signify? It has been shown in the case

.of the clam that the similar lines of growth do not indicate the
age of the individual, but are due to the accidents in the life of
the clam when the margin of the shell is injured—as by burrowing
in gravel. Clams, therefore, which are frequently disturbed have
numerous lines of growth, while those left undisturbed, like the
one photographed in Fig. 6, show none. In the scallop the case
is different. The usual opinion is that the lne marks the cessa-

INLAND FISHERIES. 53

tion of growth in the winter—due to the cold weather. The obser-
vations on the set of 1899 show clearly that the line is constant in
every specimen and marks the cessation of growth—not however
in winter, but in mid-summer. The margin of the shell is doubtless
already subjected to more or less wear, but so long as the growth
is continuous no heavy line is developed. In June, during the
spawning-season, as is shown on the chart, there is no growth for
a comparatively long period, and it is this period of rest which
accounts for the “line of growth.” The series of figures represent-
ing scallops taken throughout the year demonstrates this. (Plates
ITI-XV.)

This conclusion is, of course, founded upon only one year of
observation, but is in all probability correct, and in any case will
be checked by the observation on the set of 1900.

The observations on the rate of growth and the meaning of the
line are of more than passing interest, for they demonstrate
clearly that it is possible to tell whether a scallop is more or less
than one year old. Except in respect to the time when the line
appears, the results accord entirely with the information received
from fishermen.

Growth of the set, 1900.—The rate of growth of last season’s
scallops is being observed at Greenwich Bay. ‘The record ex-
tends from August to December, and is plotted in curve opposite
page 50.

The sample specimens taken during (a) the first of August, (b)
the last of August, (c) September, and (d) the first of October are
photographed natural size in plates I and II.

The following is the average size of the sets of 1900 in October,
November, and December :

ie IGE Gr la. hake oy cc Sarees 43 .56mm.
UATE OES ENS IU clccte Sein cas elu ees 4gcap *
[vere g]] oT habe Sa eee i) a oe

The relative size for sets of 1899 and 1900 at various dates can

be seen at once by referring to the curves.

54 INLAND FISHERIES.

7. At what size and age does the scallop spawn ?—So far as the
age is concerned, the question can be answered with precision
and brevity: The scallop spawns when one year old. The size
probably varies from year to year with certain limits, but for the
set of 1899 the average size was 60mm. or about 24 inches from
hinge to ventral margin. i

8. Do they spawn more than once ?—The scallopers are prac-
tically unanimous in the opinion that the animals spawn only once,
and they are probably, in the main, correct. For the set of 1899
this question cannot be answered definitely until next summer.
Tt has been observed, however, that some of the specimens in Janu-
ary of the second year were developing eggs and spermatozoa
again.

9. What isthe normal length of life of the scallop ?—The general
opinion on this question is probably correct, namely, that the scal-
lop normally lives not more than two years. No very definite in-
formation could be obtained from inquiry in regard to the exact
period of termination of life. Obviously this question must also
be deferred to another season.

In conelusion we may bring together some of the facts recorded
above and point out their relation to one another and their bearing
upon the welfare of the scallop industry in the waters of the State.

1. The injury to the industry by the practice of taking scallops
less than a year old is very grave, for several reasons :

(a) The number destroyed in obtaining a given quantity of
meat is, of course, much greater than necessary.

(4) The destruction of the young lessens the number of spawn-
ing scallops for the following summer.

(c) Moreover, the young scallops are the only source of the
next year’s supply if it is true that they breed only at the end of
their first year; whereas, in the case of the clam and other food
animals, the adults breed for several seasons.

(qd) The scallops of more than a year’s growth can be taken
without any effect on the subsequent supply.

INLAND FISHERIES. 55

(e) The distribution of the scallop is of a local nature, and our
waters are not replenished by a general supply from outside the
Bay as in the case of many fishes. The industry depends, there-
fore, on the treatment given the scallop within our own State.

2. The requisite knowledge is at hand for distinguishing readily
the scallops of more than a year’s growth from those which are
less than a year old and have not spawned, and, therefore, no
reasonable excuse exists for taking the young:

(a) The set of scallops belonging to the set of any year are of
nearly uniform size, owing to the brevity and definiteness of the
breeding-season.

(>) Besides the evident difference in size of scallops of two
consecutive years, the scallops which have spawned are marked
with the “line of growth,” and those which have not spawned are
not so marked.

56 INLAND FISHERIES.

XI. FurTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE RED-WATER PLAGUE, WITH
Novres ON ITS OCCURRENCE ELSEWHERE.

This phenomenon, which has been noticed for years by fisher-
men in the upper part of the Bay, was so unpleasantly noticeable
in the late summer of 1898 that it caused a great deal of comment.
In the report of that year your commission, having investigated
the matter, published a brief statement of the cause of the red
color and the disagreeable odor of the water.

The explanation of the red water is the exceeding abundance
of a minute organism, called at that time Peridinium. Specimens
were sent to Sir George Murray, of England, who was engaged in
a work on the Peridinidw of the world, and were pronounced by
him to be a species of the related genus Gymnodinium. The
species itself was unknown to him, and, in his opinion, probably
new.

In 1899, and again in this year, the red water has recurred. On
May 6th the Lewis Brothers saw large patches of it between Wick-
ford Light and Plum Beach. The organisms were abundant
in the skimming’ for some time after this. In the early autumn,
particularly about the last of September and the first of October,
it again amounted to a plague in the Providence River. Crabs,
shrimp, menhaden, clams, and various other animals were found
piled in windrows on the shore, while squiteague of from 1 to 2
inches in length were to be seen stupefied and half dead in the
shoal water.

On Octobter 18th the shore north of the harbor near the R. I.
Yacht Club house, was covered with a broad ‘windrow of clams
for nearly a quarter of a mile. At many places the clams were
piled a foot in height, and the total amount thus killed must have
amounted to many thousands of bushels. The clams were evi-
dently of this year’s set for the most part, and measured about 13
inches in length. Many were not dead, and very few had been
dead many days. It can not be stated positively that the red

INLAND FISHERIES. 57

water was the cause of this destruction, but it appears extremely
probable.

Tt is desirable that a further careful study be made of the life-
history of the organism, and of its actual destructiveness.

Similar phenomena have been observed in Japanese waters, and
specimens of the organism which caused the coloration of the
water have been sent to your commission for comparison with the
species found here.

XIT. Appirions To THE List or FisHes Known To InunApit Nar-—
RAGANSETT Bay, WITH REMARKS ON RarE SPECIMENS RE-
CENTLY CAUGHT.

Pteroplatea maclura (Le Sueur). “ Butterfly Ray ;’ “ Angel Fish.”

Although the type specimen of this species was taken in Rhode
Island in 1817 and described by Le Sueur, it has not been pre-
viously reported by the commission. A specimen 23 inches long
was taken in the southern part of Narragansett Bay, during July
of this year, by the Lewis Brothers. Long Island Sound is usually
considered to be the limit of its northern range, but Mr. Lewis
says that it is found not infrequently in the Bay. This specimen
is preserved among the collection of Rhode Island fishes belong-
ing to the commission.

Tarpon atlanticus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). “'Tarpon;” “Tar-
pum.”

Mr. H. M. Knowles, of Wakefield, R. I., is authority for the
statement that a tarpon 5 feet long, and so slender that it weighed
only 30 pounds, was taken in a fish-trap near Dutch Island
Harbor. This catch was noted in the Providence Journal of July
25, and the fish was exhibited at Narragansett Pier. A few are
taken in this vicinity every year, but as their flesh is dry and

tasteless they have very little food value. A specimen weighing
8

58 INLAND FISHERIES.

80 pounds was taken at Martha’s Vineyard, and a small one was
caught in the U. 8. F. C. trap at Wood’s Hole.

Other common names for the tarpon are Grand Eeaille; Silver-
fish; Sabalo; Savanilla; Savalle. The average length for the
species is 6 feet, and the maximum weight is 110 pounds. Narra-
gansett Bay is probably its northern limit of range, but probably
it does not breed north of Cuba. Stearns says of it: “An im-
mense and active fish, preying on schools of smaller fry, in pur-
suit of which it ascends fresh water rivers quite a long distance.”
An excellent specimen is preserved in the collection of the Rhode
Island Fishes.

Trachiurus lepturus (Linneus). “ Cutlas Fish ;” “Scabbard Fish.”

An unusually large specimen, measuring 3 feet, 8 inches, was
taken in a trap at Newport. This species is abundant in tropical
seas. The northern limit of range is given as Virginia, although
they are occasionally taken farther north. The largest specimen
hitherto recorded from New England waters was caught at
Wood’s Hole in 1874, and measured 3 feet in length. Other com-
mon names are: Silver Fish; Sable; Savola.

Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch). “Flasher ;” “Triple Tail.”

A specimen of Lobotes weighing nearly 6 pounds and measuring
22 inches, was taken in Mr. Kaye’s trap off Pine Hill, Prudence
Island, on September 10, 1900. This inhabitant of all tropical
seas is a very rare visitor in Rhode Island waters. Not more than
six specimens have been recorded from this vicinity in the last
thirty years. It is sluggish in its habits, but valuable as a food
fish.

Lagocephalus levigatus (Linneeus). “Smooth Puffer.”
g

Three specimens of this occasional visitor have been recorded
for this year. The largest, weighing 10 pounds, was taken at Tiv-
erton, October 4, by R. B. Wilcox. Another smaller specimen was

INLAND FISHERIES. 59

collected by J. M. K. Southwick, at Newport, September 29. Its
natural range is from Cape Cod to Brazil. They are common in
the south, but are very rare north of Cape Hatteras. Since
their flesh is ill-flavored and said to be poisonous, they are not
valuable as food. The average length is 2 feet. One somewhat
smaller was caught in a purse-net near Point Judith by Joseph
Church, September 28.

Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Linnzeus). “ Halibut.”

On April 16 a 100-pound halibut was brought to Newport. It
was caught with others off Block Island by a cod fisherman. Hali-
but were formerly quite common around Block Island and Vine-
yard Sound, but none have been taken for several years. The
catch leads one to hope that this valuable food fish is again re-
turning to our waters.

‘The halibut is the largest of the flounders. Its maximum weight
is about 400 pounds, and it is one of our most important food
fishes. It is found on all the cod banks of our northern seas, and
ranges as far south in the West Atlantic as Sandy Hook.

XIII. Experiments In Lopsrer—CULTURE.

The artificial hatching of lobster eggs has been carried on for
many yearsat the U.S. F. C. stations at Wood’s Hole and Glouces-
ter, and the young fry turned out each year in immense numbers.
Within a day or two after they have been hatched the young
lobsters are taken in jars, carried out into the sea, and are then put
overboard. It is admitted that the procedure is unsatisfactory,
from the fact that the fry are poorly equipped to take care of
themselves at this early stage. The reason for turning them loose,
however, is that they would die if kept in confinement.

Many attempts have been made, both abroad and in this country,
to rear the newly-hatched lobsters; within the past two years
the United States Fish Commission has given to this problem

special attention, and a series of experiments have been instituted

60 INLAND FISHERIES.

in various localities under the direction of Dr. H. C. Bumpus,
Director of the Biological Station at Wood’s Hole and member of
your commission. The record of the progress of the first year of
investigation was embodied in the last report (page 42).

On the first of June of the present year the first lot of newly-
hatched lobsters was brought from Wood’s Hole to Wickford,
and throughout the rest of the season the Wickford Station co-
operated with the United States Fish Commission in their experi-
ments. Eleven importations of lobster fry were brought to Wick-
ford during June and the first of July, and the results obtained
here were more satisfactory than in any other locality in which
the experiments were conducted.

The following is a report on the progress made in lobster-culture
at the Wickford Station :

HABITS AND GROWTH OF YOUNG LOBSTERS

AND

EXPERIMENTS IN LOBSTER-CULTURE.

A. DD; MEAD, Pe Di;

BROWN UNIVERSITY, PROVIDENCE, R. I

The investigations here recorded were made during the past
year at the new floating laboratory of the R. I. Commission of In-
land Fisheries, located in Mill Cove at Wickford. They were under-
taken in conjunction with the U. S. Fish Commission, which
furnished an abundance of newly hatched fry and much of the re-
quisite apparatus for the work.

The main purpose of the work this year was, first, to ascertain
the habits and rate of growth of the young lobsters from the time
they were hatched until they had moulted three times and reached
the fourth stage of development; and, second, to invent means for
rearing them through these stages of development. Desultory
observations of considerable interest were made, however, upon
the later stages.

The critical nature of the early period of life was more than
ever emphasized by these observations. During the first three
stages the young are small and delicate and are especially exposed,
since they swim constantly near the surface of the water or, what
is worse, lie helpless on the bottom. They, moreover, lack both
the ability to move quickly and the instinct to escape their very
numerous enemies. Immediately on reaching the fourth stage

62 INLAND FISHERIES.

their structure and habits are remarkably altered ; they are larger,
stronger, exceedingly active, and at once seek hiding-places under
stones, shells, etc., or actually burrow in the sand.

In the study of these stages several problems are presented :

HABITS AND GROWTH.

1. What changes in structure occur in the early development ?
2. What is the duration of the first three stages ?
3. What are the general habits of life in the first four stages?

EXPERIMENTS IN LOBSTER—CULTURE.
¢

4. What is the best method of supplying food ?

5. What is the best means of protecting the fry in the first
three stages ?

The solution of these problems would mean a great advance in
the efficiency of general propagation of lobsters, and would be
the first step toward artificial lobster-culture.

1. What changes in structure occur during the early development ?
—An excellent account of the structural changes from the egg to
fourth moult is to be found in F. H. Herrick’s monograph of the
lobster,* and it will hardly be necessary to describe these in
detail in this place. The general appearance, size, ete., of the
various stages are, however, illustrated in the photographs (Figs.
5-8), and the drawings (Figs. 1-4) made after Herrick’s figures.
These will give a more definite idea of the structural peculiari-
ties in the different stages. But a true appreciation of these in-
teresting youngsters can be had only by observing the beautiful
coloring and droll antics of the creatures in life.

Besides the difference in size there are certain other character-
istics which distinguish the various stages. In the first three
stages the body is always strongly bent, while in the fourth it is
usually straight. In each stage the large claws are carried in a
peculiar manner. At first they lie nearly parallel to the side of

* BH. H. Herrick, ‘‘ The American Lobster,’ Bulletin of the U. S. Fish Commission for 1895.

INLAND FISHERIES. 63

the body and point backward, but in each succeeding stage they
tend to point further forward, so that in the fourth stage, when
the animal swims, the big claws meet in front of the head. The
surest and quickest means of distinguishing them is, however, by
the appendages on the underside of the abdomen (tail). In the
first stage there are none. In the second stage the several pairs
of swimmerets are developed (Fig. 2). In the third stage the ap-
pendages on the segment at the tail end appear (Fig. 3). The
fourth stage is so different from the previous ones that no diffi-
culty is ever experienced in detecting it.

2. What is the duration of the jirst three stages ?—The average
period between hatching and reaching the fourth stage for the en-
tire eleven experiments at Wickford was a little over twelve days.
In each experiment the average duration of the first three stages,
meaning the interval between the time of hatching and the day
upon which the largest number entered the fourth stage, is given
in the table on page 78, and varies from nine to sixteen days.
From the first experiments, begun June 1, to the later ones there
is a variation in the length of the period among different indi-
viduals, amounting to three or four days at the least, and in
some instances even to six or seven days.

In experiments conducted at Wood’s Hole the time required
for these moults was considerably greater; of the first lot,
hatched May 23d, the first stage was reached by a few only on
June 12th, after an interval of twenty days. Indeed, on the twelfth
day (the average time of reaching the fourth stage at Wickford)
none had reached even the third stage at Wood’s Hole. The ex-
planation of the variations in the length of time required for the
first three stages probably lies in the differences in temperature
of the water—the colder the water, the slower the development.
An examination of the tables referred to bears out this con-
jecture, thus :

64 INLAND FISHERIES.

Average
temperature.

Experiment 1. Duration of first three stages, 16 days. 65°F.

‘ 2. : ‘ ‘15. “pais
¢ a: i i ‘13. )
‘ 4. 7 130%)
B. : «13 fae
; 6. : Oy ots 0s ania
i: e : ay a aa
8. 12) On ie
9. ‘ ; 10. ee
ay ‘ nT a
Stee sll i . pee ere 1

It is not possible to say at present that the variations in the
length of the early stages are due entirely to the difference in
temperature, and it may be that other factors have more or less
influence; but it is extremely probable that temperature is the
main factor. In other animals the increase of temperature is
known to have an accelerating effect on the development, e. ¢.,
in the development of the eggs of one of the marine worms, Lep?-
donotus, the development could be increased to three times its

usual rate by warming the water.

The proportion of time spent in the first, second, and third
stages was, at Wickford, approximately equal (see table, page
78), but the record is not complete enough to allow very accurate
statements as to the exact amount of time spent in each stage.

From the standpoint of lobster-culture there are advantages in
making the duration of the critical period as short as possible,
besides the saving of extra labor. The especial dangers to which
the young are exposed from their enemies and from physical
environment are materially increased when the fry develop
slowly, so that the sooner they reach the fourth stage the less
they need be exposed. Among the enemies must be recorded in
this connection the vegetable growths of various kinds which find

INLAND FISHERIES. 65

lodgment on the young lobster. Diatoms, fungi, and even green
alew, grow upon them, and often to such an extent as to cause
the destruction of the host. When the skin is shed, as the
lobster goes from one stage to the next, the whole collection of
parasites is shed with the cast-off skin, and the lobster is again
clean. The more frequently the skin is cast, the less danger there
is from the accumulation of parasites.

3. What are the general habits of life in the first four stages ?—
Some of the habits of the young are described in other chapters,
but these observations, with certain additional ones, may be
brought together here for convenience.

Swimming.—From the time they are hatched until they reach
the fourth stage they are essentially swimming animals, and are
in no way adapted for living on the botton or in contact with any
solid substance. They are constantly in motion; in moments of
apparent rest the motion of the swimmerets prevents them from
sinking, and for the greater part of the time they are swimming
around or executing absurd jerking movements by sudden strokes
of the tail. Only shghtly do they direct their movements toward
particular objects or places, and they are carried by the current
in the direction of least resistance. Their constant aimless activity
tends to keep them suspended in the water and occasionally brings
them into contact with food, but does not protect them from
their enemies; indeed, as they have no sense of fear and are very
conspicuous in the water, they fall prey to all sorts of animals,
fishes, large and small, shrimp, and even to their own brethren.

They swim sometimes at the surface of the water, but again
show a tendency to sink to lower depths. The causes of the alter-
nate rising and sinking of these larve and of other swimming
animals like the jelly-fish, young star-fish, ete., are still obscure.
Recent researches have demonstrated for certain species that the
direction and intensity of ight and the variations in the tempera-
ture are among the immediate causes. Undoubtedly the move-

ments of the lobster-fry are affected by the light and perhaps also
é
9

66 INLAND FISHERIES.

by the temperature, but the nature and extent of these disturbances
are yet to be learned.

From the practical point of view a great deal more depends up-
on the understanding of their habits and the effect of temperature
and light upon them than would at first appear. Indeed, one of
the most serious difficulties, if not the most serious one, in the
rearing of the young is that of adapting the apparatus to the
peculiarities of the swimming-habit. This subject will be taken
up again in the account of our experiments (p. 70).

What has been said above apples to the first, second, and third
stages of the young lobster. When the skin has been shed the
third time and the lobsters have entered the fourth stage, there
is immediately an almost miraculous change in their habits. In
many respects the difference between the fry in the third and fourth
stages is far greater than between animals belonging to different
orders, aud the change may be compared to the metamorphosis of
flying insects from their larval to their winged condition. In the
lobsters, however, the direction of the change is the reverse of
that in the insects. The former at once become adapted to life on
the bottom. They tend to quit their swimming-habits, except for
purpose of changing their position, capturing prey, etc. They
crawl over the bottom, hide under shells and sea-weed and, if
these objects can not be found, they even burrow in the sand.

Not the least remarkable of the altered characteristics of the
fourth stage is their mental attitude. Upon entering this stage
they are born again, they know good and evil; for the first time
the sense of fear is evident, and they retreat from danger; there is,
in short, a purpose and direction in their activities which was not
apparent in the three earlier stages.

It should not be inferred that they lose the power of swim-
ming—this is not lost for months—but the swimming is now for
the purpose of going from place to place, or for retreating from
danger, not merely to keep them afloat.

A brief statement of one experiment will illustrate the sudden-
ness of this change of habit. Three hundred specimens recently

INLAND FISHERIES. 67

moulted into this stage were put into a car which had gravel and
stones in the bottom. Within ten minutes not a single specimen
was in sight.

The suddenness and completeness of this change so conducive
to the safety of the lobsters gives much practical and economic
interest to the problems of rearing the young through the critical
period. The advantage of rearing trout to the fingerling stage
before liberating them has been amply demonstrated, but the
value of protecting the lobsters through their early stages (from
12 to 20 days) is even greater.

Moulting, or Shedding.—The habit of shedding the skin begins
when the lobsters are two or three days old and continues through-
out lite. The intervals between successive moults grow longer
as the age increases. It has already been stated that the first
three moults occur in about twelve days, on the average, at Wick-
ford. There is much variation, according to different conditions.
Late in life the periods are longer, and the adult may not shed
more than once a year. In the first moults, as in the succeeding
ones, the process is the same, the old skin being split across
the back, between the thorax and the abdomen, and the body
worked out through this opening, leaving the cast skin otherwise
intact.

The actual process of moulting usually occupies only a few
minutes, but not infrequently something goes wrong and the
struggle is quite prolonged. Often the lobster dies in the process,
and the period of moulting is at best a very precarious one in the
life of the lobster, whether in the young stages or in-the later
ones.

Feeding-habits.—No animals, with the exception of typhoid con-
yalescents, are more voracious than newly-hatched lobsters. They
feed normally upon all sorts of minute organisms, copepods, di-
atoms, etc., and will readily eat some kinds of flesh, if chopped
into fine pieces and kept suspended in the water where the fry
come in contact with it. Apparently they do not distinguish food

sufficiently well to go to it from any considerable distance, but take

68 INLAND FISHERIES.

what they come in contact with; and as they are continuously moy-
ing about in an ocean full of organisms, they must but rarely want
for food.

LopsTER—CULTURE.

The experiments in rearing the fry through the critical period
have demonstrated that the chief difficulties to be contended with
are, first, that of supplying proper food ; and, second, that of fur-
nishing adequate protection.

4. What is the best method of supplying food ?—When a large
number of fry are kept in an enclosure, the natural food supply,
consisting of other organisms, 1s of course not sufficient in quan-
tity and other food must be introduced. It is possible sometimes
to collect little crustaceans (copepods) i abundance and put these
into the enclosure with the fry. However, this method has prac-
tical disadvantages, since it is frequently difficult or impossible to
collect the small organisms in sufficient number, and even when
they have been collected and placed in the cars with the lobsters,
they will often escape through the netting or gather in one place
whither they are attracted by the ight. Some method must be
resorted to, which will provide the food in greater quantities and
with greater certainty. The fry decidedly prefer an animal to a
vegetable diet, and, while shrimp can be fed satisfactorily on
bread, the lobsters will not eat it. P

In providing an animal food it is necessary to select tissues
which can easily be shredded or crumbled into small pieces. One
of the best foods in this particular is lobster liver, which is readily
shaken into minute short filaments. At the present price of lob-
sters this diet is rather too luxurious to be used on a large scale,
and furthermore the experiments seem to indicate that it does not
agree with the fry. Shredded fresh fish is fairly good, and very
satisfactory in the later stages. The best food so far discovered
is the soft parts of clams. The bodies of the clam are cut out and
chopped into fine pieces in a chopping-tray and then thrown into
the water. Even the larger pieces of the soft tissue can be torn

INLAND FISHERTES. 69

apart by the smallest fry. This diet also seems the best suited to
the lobsters digestion.

Two precautions should be observed in feeding with this or with
any other food except living organisms: first, the food particles
must be kept suspended by stirring or by mixing with air so that
the lobster can readily find them ; and, second, the food remaining
over must not be allowed to decay. In the experiments of last
summer the fry were fed twice a day.

There is one habit of the fry which makes the question of ample
food supply especially important, their atrocious cannibalism.
From the moment they are hatched, throughout the early stages
of life, their affection for one another takes this disgusting form.
The only way to prevent them from destroying one another is to
eive them an abundance of food, and in such a manner that they
will take it in preference to other lobster-fry.

5. What is the best means of protecting the fry during the jirst
three stages ?—There are two main difficulties in the way of provid-
ing a suitable enclosure for the fry which will allow them sufficient
freedom, and which will at the same time confine them and protect
them from enemies. The fact that the young fry swim aimlessly
about and are carried hither and thither by the currents consti-
tutes the first difficulty, for when they are placed in an enclosure
provided with a screen which will allow a free circulation of water
from the outside, but shuts out the enemies, the fry are carried

against the screen and die. Such an experiment was described in
the report of last year by Prof. Bumpus. The second difficulty is
quite as serious and is due to the fact that at certain times the fry
have a tendency to leave the surface and sink to the lower depths,
as described on page 65. Many of the earlier experiments failed
on account of this characteristic of the fry.

The endeavor was made to rear them in large cars, such as were
used at Wood’s Hole for holding cod, but provided, of course,
with screen sides. This and other similar experiments failed, be-
cause the lobsters would be carried against one side by the tide

and there gradually sink to the bottom, where they became foul

70 INLAND FISHERIES.

with accumulated silt and unused food, and were apt to meet with
death in fighting one another. Cars were constructed with screen
bottoms, which prevent to a large extent the accumulation of
sediment, but even in these there was always some place in the
bottom of the car where the lobsters and any waste matter would
collect through the action of currents, and here the lobsters would
eventually die from suffocation or from fighting.

The apparatus which promised the best results was tried by
Prof. Bumpus in the summer of 1899. This consisted of large
square bags made of scrim, fastened to a float, and weighted at
the lower corners. The action of the tides and winds tended to
keep the sides and bottom of the bag in constant undulating
motion, and thus prevented the fry from lying long in one place,
if they were inclined to sink.

This was the method which was almost exclusively used at
Wickford during the past summer, although a few unsuccessful ex-
periments were made with cars.

Many of the experiments were made to ascertain the best pattern
for bags and the best method of weighting them. Several large
bags 15x15x3 feet deep were tried, some smaller ones 8x 9x3 feet
deep, but the pattern used for the most part were about 4x6x3
feet deep. Various devices for keeping the bottom under water
were used—lead weights on the bottom on the corners, and on
the sides heavy weights and light weights, while some bags were
tied down with strings from the corners.

By careful observation of these experiments a considerable ad-
vance was made in the knowledge of the danger to be avoided and
the means of overcoming some of the difficulties.

The large bags were failures, the next in size were better, but
the most successful were the bags of the smallest'size.

Under favorable conditions, 7. e., with a moderate wind and
tide, the small bags lightly weighted are quite satisfactory. The
bottoms and sides are moved in rhythmic motion, and the fry
keep from gathering together at any one spot. But, when the

wind or tide increases, the bags are carried to one side and held

INLAND FISHERIES. (al

in one position, even if not blown out of the water, and the con-
ditions are very trying to the young fry. If heavier weights are
put on, to hold the bags in place, pockets are formed where the
weights are attached, and into these pockets the fry sink, together
with particles of food, etc., and a high rate of mortality ensues.
The most serious condition is a dead calm, for this is almost sure
to allow the bottom of the bags to sag into pockets even when
light weights are used, and thus sooner or later the young sink
into these pockets. Weights fastened on the sides instead of on
the bottom obviate this difficulty to some extent, but even then
pockets will at some time be formed. 7

After making numerous experiments and watching the results
for about five weeks, we gradually came to the conclusion that the
secret of success in rearing the young lobsters was to keep the
water in continuous motion. This accomplishes two things: it
prevents the fry from settling into pockets to smother or devour
one another, and it keeps food in suspension so that the fry can
obtain it.

To prove the correctness of this conclusion with the material
and apparatus at hand, it was decided, on July 6, to experiment
with lobsters which were at that time in small bags. Accordingly
the force at the laboratory was divided into watches, and the water
in the bags was thenceforth stirred with an oar continuously until
July 12. The result was ample proof that the conclusion was
correct. There were two lots of lobsters which received this
treatment, namely, experiments 9 and 10 (tables on page 78).
Neither of these lots was considered to be as promising as the
average. However, from No.9 there were obtained 748 lobsters
in the first stage. This is a larger number than were obtained in
any other experiment, either at Wickford, Wood’s Hole, or in any
other station where lobster-culture has been tried, so far as I am
aware. From lot No. 10,319 were obtained in the fourth stage ;
but as one of the bags was old and had a hole in it, the figures
fail to give a correct idea of the results of the experiment. One
of the most encouraging results of this method was the clean and

UY INLAND FISHERIES.

healthy appearance of the fry in all stages. The continual stir-
ring prevented the accumulation of parasites found on the body of
nearly all of the specimens in the other lots.

It is intended during the next season to follow up this experi-
ment with others, working upon the same theory, namely, that the
water should be constantly stirred. ‘To do this it will be necessary
to invent a mechanical device which will take the place of the oar,
and designs for such an apparatus are now being made.

The total number of fry reared to the fourth stage during the
season at Wickford was 3,425, and the number for each lot, to-
gether with the more important data, is given in the table on page
78.

In comparison with the results of the many attempts to rear
lobsters in various places during this and previous years, the re-
sults at Wickford were eminently successful.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE LATER STAGES.

While the main problem for the past summer was to learn the
habits and discover means for rearing the lobster up to the fourth
moult, it was impossible to resist the temptation of trying some
preliminary experiments on the later stages. Accordingly several
cars were constructed with wire gauze sides and haying heavy
plank boxes for bottoms. Gravel, stones and some sea-weed were
placed in the boxes, in order to imitate as closely as might be the
natural environment. Lobsters from various lots were put into
these cars, some as soon as they reached the fourth stage, and
others later.

Without going into a detailed record of these experiments, we
may state the general results as follows :

The lobsters seemed to find in these boxes a very natural en-
vironment, and immediately took shelter under stones and shells
or else burrowed. Often an excavation of considerable size was
made by carrying out pieces of gravel and depositing them at a
short distance from the hole. These excavations in many instances

INLAND FISHERIES. 73

reached three or four inches in depth. The habit of burrowing
was also noted even in fourth stage lobsters, and was continued
throughout the later stages. When food (chopped clams or fish)
was placed in the cars, the lobsters came stealthily out of their
hiding-places, and having grabbed a morsel, retreated backward
into their holes, guarding the entrance with their big claws.

They appeared to avoid travelling about in the day-time, but at
night and just at dawn could be seen quietly moving along on the
ground. Occasionally, for some unaccountable reason, some of
the specimens, even when more than an inch long, would take
to swimming rapidly around the car, but for the greater part of
the time they appeared to be contented with their surroundings ;
so much so, indeed, that when a storm on September 12 broke
loose the screens on the sides, and nothing prevented their es-
cape, a large number appeared to prefer remaining where they
were.

One important point which has been demonstrated is that the
lobster, after reaching the fourth stage, can easily be kept in an
enclosure, and will thrive with much less care than is required by
those of the early stages. As soon as they reach the fourth stage
they should be transferred to a car or enclosure provided with a
sandy or gravelly bottom, for when they are kept in other cars
they do not thrive so well and are apt to become foul with various
parasitic growths. I have seen specimens in the fourth stage that
were covered with green algve half an inch long, so that by a casual
examination one could not have told that they were lobsters.

A considerable number of these specimens were kept through-
out the fall and winter, and on December 22 half a dozen were
taken out and subsequently carried to Washington alive and placed
in the aquarium of the U. 8. Fish Commission.

Some interesting facts were learned in regard to the rate of
growth. The most rapid growth took place between July and the
middle of September. This is natural because of the low temper-
ature in the later fall, and more especially because they were

seldom fed after the middle of September. The size of some of
10

74

INLAND FISHERIES.

the lobsters on September 15 is given in the following table. The
measurements are from the tip of the “beak” to the end of the

tail, and are given in millimeters.

Set 1.

Hatched May 31.
Placed in car July 17.
7th and 8th stages.

38
33
26
35
30
33
44
30
31
38
39
37

Average, 34.81 mm.

Se t oe

Hatched June 10.
Placed in car July 16.

40
32
37
33
38
- 32
38
35

30
32%
32
21%

Average, 32.6 mm.

(Imm. = 1-25 inch.)

Set 8.

Hatched June 26 or 27.
Placed in car July —.

93%
51
35
37
46
36
34
o4

24
20%

Average, 31.1 mm.

” 2 oe

INLAND FISHERIES. 75
Sets 9 and 10. Odd sets.

Hatched —. Hatched —.

Put in car —. Put in car —.
25* 24* 28 23
40 35 29 30
26 40 37 26
32 26 38 37
33 29 32 37
25 32 25 29
27 25* 27 23
40 25 20* 31
30 24* 34 42
40 20* 35 23
38 26* 37 34
22 27 38 52
43 26 35 26
33 26 34 36
27 yA Niel 37 37
22 22* 39 28
44 26* 28 22
30 27 - 30 24*
34 24* 25*

19* 24*
Average, 29.3 mm. Average, 31.2 mm.

I believe that the growth indicated in these experiments repre-
sents fairly well the growth under natural conditions. The cars
were of good size, and many species of marine animals and plants
thrived on the inside. The lobsters were fed nearly every day.

One of the noticeable features, as shown in the measurements,
is the great variation in the rate of growth among the specimens
in each of the cars. The age of all the specimens in any one car
was the same, but after three months the difference in size was so
great that some specimens were not longer than the claws of others.
There were in all the cars, except the first (set 1) a number of
specimens which retained the two white spots on the back of the

The (*) in the tables denotes that this specimen has the white spots on the first ring of the
abdomen, a character of the fifth and sixth stages.

76 INLAND FISHERIES.

first ring of the tail. This is a characteristic of the fifth and sixth
stages, possibly the seventh stage also, and it is quite certain that
some of the specimens had shed their skin twice as many times
as others of the same age. This variation is shown in two lobsters
taken out of the cars on October 17th. (See figure 9.)

This marked variation in the rate of growth is the same phe-
nomenon which has been repeatedly demonstrated in the growth
of star-fishes and clams, and makes it impossible to say that a
specimen will reach a certain size in a given length of time. In
the case of the star-fish and clam the variation has been shown to
depend on the food supply, and it is probable that the same is
true of the lobster. Although, apparently, the conditions were
the same for all the lobsters in a certain car, there are many possi-
bilities of different conditions. The lobsters have a strong in-
dividuality, and the activities of different individuals vary to such
an extent that it is not strange that some are more successful in
obtaining food than others. If, by the same good fortune, a certain
lobster obtained an advantage at first, this advantage would in-
crease as time went on, since in lobster society the stronger indi-
viduals constantly menace the weaker ones.

These peculiarities make themselves evident at once when a
number of lobsters are placed under observation in a small space.
T recall one instance in which a certain lobster took for his head-
quarters the cork which plugged the hole in the bottom of the
aquarium. For nearly a week (and until he was killed in a fight)
he kept a lookout from the top of this cork or hid in its shadow,
occasionally making excursions about the aquarium, but always
returning again to the same spot.

In order to keep some of the specimens over winter, they were
placed in a car which was covered and sunk in the channel. They
were alive on December 22, and it is hoped that some of the speci-
mens can be carried over to the next season.

The following tables present in a condensed form the main re-
sults of the experiments in lobster culture at Wickford.

The first four photographs represent the first four stages in the

INLAND FISHERIES. 77

life of the lobster, from drawings by Prof. Herrick. They are many
times life-size.

The next six figures (5-10) are from life-size photographs of
lobsters reared at Wickford.

February 22, 1901.

78

INLAND FISHERIES. 3
5
*
Q :
Bah 4
a = 2 & Condition
= a eS i)
Bia eee ‘D xB Apparatus used. Food. Wi when
Bl ow 3 3 .
>) ° tad 2 received.
on o o g
+ ~
7 oS @ S
ea) A i=) a
1 |May 31/June 1! 2,000 |Three small bags; heavy weights .................... ‘Lobsterliver,clams Good RAC
SMAI CAM. ois vis ike s dletctecese diee/sh0:Rtea; a /eis lace. satis ova 21m oceubless ig ote Bevel eye ieie cueaete¥ Teepe Ten ne
2\|June 8)June 9} 2,000 ‘Two Paes (Small) mifloate encase stereo deta en ieonee ete Clams... 2h. ceceenen Good...:..
$F June 10) dune 1/30/0007) Three Wags Ce w) sere ererte aarevsicle creierereln» eleieietotere sels deers sale Clams’: ace nto eiereer Hair sc sescr
|
i}
43 Mer aa June 14] 50,000?|Large bag............ sseseeseeees Sects eaten ue ets | Glam sy. dee ence Many dead
OF \la Ganaoea June 18} 70,000?\Small bag, and on June 19 large bag........... ...05- Clam8 re iter: Very poor.
6) | TumeEt22| sume i235 OOO Meare) Wee ae etoter- ere netaret te stele ete) s\pyale atctar a siete ella relete erereisisletete Lobsterliver,clams ‘‘Gilt edge”’
Vial agate June 25] 20,000?/Two small bags and one large one...............+0065 |Cl&MS iejeanve sete G@oodirece:
Bullies sec June 27} 15,000 |Two small bags, and larger bag in pool.............-. (ObhiCgeaapndenoooadl lasso cntcc
|
Spey ens TDG; 2B) ssi s5 Spouse Ihdvese, dese salsa o(5 lole/@in:opRiacenc a nbaye pus loteretaseistnposeeld alexa! Seletarece evayarspaiel| tele wena olin [ele letete t= ks rn ae
POM ine siateietets Ait hyn pases Three small bags and large car with wire-mesh bottom Clams ........- gas BOOT eeemrete
TAA). os steers DULY adil eee ee Two small bags, and one small bag (very deep)...... Clam’ %,.csiestnerrtans Very poort
* Estimate. ‘+ Mostly dead.

INLAND FISHERIES.

79

wee

so) a ga | 8,
od | 3s es | eo | oe | Ba |S | Saa| 2
a ae Sh =e 3 CS yl | ch en | Oe
os | es | #8 | #8 | 23 | 28 | 22 | 88s| 23
ea | cs | a | be | SB | ee lew less] 22 soi
Sa = 3a aa =e aa =a on.8 mo 5 ae
pares | 8 | 88 | 28 | 88 | ses) sb! Ze
as ao Ha ae HS oa Peg S8y $5
Ban | An Rn | aa tn aa |452/<28/) aa

| |

eisiies < June 6/| June 9}|........ June 13;\June 16,16 days) 65° 320 |Calm on June 3. Bags changed at third

stage; killed many.

ETE sete fe ork cara cl Geotsroie cis [in cieisrem atrilla sien ciate sl|{s/ereiave ajere |iaiie ae, oie s)| sew e bee All died.

Ate Junel4?)......../June19? June 21|June 23/15 days) 66° 212 (On June 21, 230 in third and 77 in fourth

stage.

Jeenecnc| POO RO Bet SeeeRe en June19? June 22)June 24)13 days) 68° 598 |Many dead whenreceived. Last of third

stage moulted June 26—16 days.

REO BOPE June 19 June 21)....,.... June 26 June 27/18 days! 68° 186 |Brought from Wood’s Hole packed in

|(10pr.ct.) (25pr.ct.) . ice,

SUNT IN alba ara: o a,nreilis Ste sesevas June 24,June 27/ July 2/18 days) 69° 522 |On June 24 big bag was very foul, and
(fresh 1,420 of second and third stages were

bag) put in fresh small bag. These yielded
339 at fourth stage.
JOSH eb 25 CECE Meret sravdgde POUL | cst LOnaays) «0° 2 |On June 23 estimated 1,000 dead from
stagnation. On July 2 nearly all dead.
ircsie ears June 29)........| July 4| July 5 |July 8/12 days) 72° 119 |Those put in big bag nearly all died.
Only 2 reached fourth stage.
“05: 105||CSeeOBeo! |aoConare July 4|.......-|July 9/12 days) 72° 350 |Injured by violent wind, June 28.
Me taeteteills: 5° sietowieis fe aielvis’a tiahieiersls as 6° July 9 |July 12/10 days! 72° 748 |'On July 11—9 days—there were 165 at
| fourth stage. Stirred constantly from
July6to July 12. First of fourth stage
in 7 days.

“eich 0! (ROS OCUEN (OER \July 10 July 11 July 14) 9 days, 72° 319 |All those in car died from crowding
(very together. Bags stirred continuously.
clean) Hole in one bag let many out.

ode Co IOSACA! CRE cis July 16) July 4 July 23/11 days} 78° 49 |This set was very poor, and received

little care.

Average time from hatching to fourth stage

= 12+ days,

Total number of fourth stage = 3,425.

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Puate I.

Fic. 1. Magnified drawing of lobster in the first stage, 7. e., just
hatched from the egg. Compare with fig. 5. (After Herrick.)

Fic. 2. Magnified drawing of lobster in second stage (having
moulted once). (After Herrick.)

Prats I.

Rigs

Prats IT.

Fic. 3. Magnified drawing of lobster in third stage. (After
Herrick.)

Fic. 4. Magnified drawing of lobster in fourth stage. (After
Herrick.)

Prare. IT,

3.

Fic.

Fig. 4.

Prat TEE

Fig. 5. Life-size photograph of lobsters in first stage.

Fic. 6. Life-size photograph of lobsters in the second stage.

Fic. 7. Life-size photograph of lobsters in the third stage.

Fic. 8. Life-size photograph of lobsters in the fourth stage.

Piare. TIT.

Fig. 5. Fia. 6.

Prarn Ty:

Fic. 9. Life-size photograph of two lobsters of the same age—
4} months—showing variation in size. Reared in car at Wickford
June 1 to October 17.

Fig. 10. Life-size photograph of lobster taken from car Dee.
22, and about 6 months old.

Prats LV.

Big..9:

Fig. 10.

SSM I
_ 3 2044 072 189° 473

Date Due

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