ee ” en Oe Oe . --* « “—* “ee “- sitet asks - a — eee ee oe we or (~ +e ee eee ~~ +2 € ttl ee + © et > - Ce ee eee ee ee - ee an a ° ~* - eee -—-—&. ee --* _* * - + ee ? tele + eiets fete? +f tele > ’ : : ?. spiel +? 7 .- tolerate: Stade! " =. titalalelegieretete? Te estes = te :: . tr * te . Hes ToTatee 7 sls ts cae 7, 7. py? tA) NAIL, q! ad Stith i oy = ae Bint Cane Tatas sae ene ee << =e oe Y . “uf rol as (Re State of Hhode Jsland and Providence Llantations. THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORMMACIEAMEOAAIMMm Rm om wewe 6 eee Sa am a Compliments of the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries. PROVIDENCE, R. I. E, L. FREEMAN & SONS, STATE PRINTERS. 1905. State of Rhode Jsland and Lrovidence Llantations. THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF DHE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES, GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JANUARY SESSION, 1905. PROVIDENCE, R. LI. E. L. FREEMAN & SONS, STATE PRINTERS. 1905. COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES OF RHODE ISLAND. HENRY T. ROOT, President, Treasurer, and Auditor......... Providence, R. I. Je Meer S OUMEIWACKe NV ice=Bresidentue. sche eee eeeL i Newport, R. I. Wi. P. MORTON, Secretarg.....5..2.422- «+p P-OL Bax 966, Erovidence, oi: CEES SOW WV TTT AMES Sh ccc cant cca cede fe ee Ree ene a ce eee Westerly, R. I. ATE BE RAD MIRVADD EG 2o5.9 2 cisea cette testes Shoe ean eT oe Brown University. ADBU BERT D ROBBERS ia. a: sade ecasee P. O. Box 264, Woonsocket, R. I. Wael OAR) MAIN 28s. Boi; cis heer: toe ente aa caer ale Central Falls, R. I. dee tale Saye To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at its January Session, 1905: The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their an- nual report for the year 1904: 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 fresh- water fish, through the distribution of eggs and fry. Page 10. Second. The collection of data and statistics relating to the com- mercial fisheries. Page 12. Third. The location of fish-traps within the waters of Narragan- sett Bay, and the collection of statistical data bearing upon their ownership. Page 18. Fourth. The continued examination of the physical and biologi- cal conditions of the waters of the Bay, begun in 1898. Page 25. Fijth. A continuance of the survey of the shores of the Bay, for the purpose of determining those portions which are most produc- tive of young seed-clams. Page 26. Sixth. A continued investigation of the life-history of the clam. Methods of artificial propagation and cultivation. Page 28. Seventh. The efforts to prevent the illegal taking of short lobsters. Page 32. Eighth. Experiments in lobster culture. Page 33. In addition to the report upon the work included under these head- ings, a revised list of members of the Fisheries Commissions or De- 4 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. partments of the United States and the several States and Territories, compiled by the United States Bureau of Fisheries, is submitted in Appendix A, and a copy of the fisheries laws of Rhode Island is given in Appendix B. Your commission has pursued in general the same course as in the past few years. Forty thousand yearling trout, four hundred small- mouth black bass, five hundred large-mouth black bass, and three million shad have been distributed. The beneficial results of stock- ing the fresh waters with these edible fishes become more*evident each year and are at the present time beyond question. It is not feasible to patrol constantly the widely scattered fishing waters of the State, and the success of the stocking of these streams and the main- tenance of the fishing must necessarily depend to a considerable ex- tent upon the codperation of the anglers, and this codperation your commission has endeavored to enlist. The work of the commission at the laboratory at Wickford has progressed steadily. The main stress has been laid upon the rearing of lobsters and clams, not merely because of the importance of these fisheries, but because the experience of several years has yielded methods which insure good results.- On the other hand, experiments are being made with other branches of the fisheries in the expectation that these also will gradually be brought under similar control. Recognition of the value of studying and developing fisheries methods is rapidly growing in every civilized country. Rhode Island possesses extraordinary advantages in respect to her fishing industry. These advantages are in general very obvious; never- theless they increase in importance on closer inspection, and the meth- ods worked out for one branch of the industry point out clearly new possibilities for another. Your commission has for many years worked in cordial codperation with the United States Bureau of Fisheries. It is in active corre- spondence with the Fisheries Bureaus of most European countries ’ and with that of Japan, ‘‘the paramount fishing nation,” and, we believe, we can learn much of value by keeping in touch and codéper- REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. o ating with them. One of your commission is president of the Ameri- can Fisheries Society, another treasurer of that society, and another corresponding member of the German Seejfischereiverein. At the invitation of the United States Fisheries Bureau your com- mission sent to St. Louis an exhibit illustrating the work on the cul- ture of shell fish. The exhibit was installed with that of the United States Bureau of Fisheries in the Fisheries Building. Last Septem- ber another exhibit was prepared and shown at the Washington County Fair at Kingston. These exhibits have brought the fisheries work of the State to the attention of many thousand citizens. The constant support which your honorable body has given to this commission has made it possible to conduct uninterrupted experi- ments through several years. As a result, your commission has been able to work out new methods of clam and lobster culture and to make other contributions, to the solution of fisheries problems, of value, not only to Rhode Island, but to other States and countries. The output of lobsters reared through the fourth stage at Wickford last season was more than double that of any previous year and more than ten times the total output of any other station, as far as we are aware. The proportion brought through the successive moulting periods to this stage was correspondingly large. The efforts toward the enforcement of the law regarding the cap- ture of short lobsters or lobsters bearing eggs have met with at least a fair degree of success Twodeputies have constantly been employed, several offenders have been arrested and fined, several thousand short lobsters shipped alive into the State have been liberated in our waters, but the main benefit of the work has been the prevention of the destruction of great numbers of small lobsters and the protection of honest lobster men against the shortsighted operations of those who would willfully disregard the welfare of the lobster fishery. REPORT ~ OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. State of Rhode Island in account with Commission of Inland Fisheries. 1904. Oct. Dec. Dr. 5. To paid for 40,000 yearling trout and distribution........ $1,191 jl. 1904 Jan. Feb. Mar. April May 6. 30. 18. «« “ expenses of laboratory, lobster culture, clams, seallops and flat fish, also tautog............. 3,440 «« “expenses and salary of deputy commissioner under lobster Jaw ihe Nese tee eee ee ease Wes ede ees 2,119 (cS distributing, s:000000ishadtiny. sane ae reer 20 i adistributines 90 0iblackybasss: cman ac eer eae 5 fa O68" PINT, chetala aie ecis ahah kek sey hear cates Seen 69 <"" expenses ol commisslonerne-. | eerie eee 387 $7 ,234 Cr. By received from State Treasuref...... 2.0.20 20s. cues we $3 i - es hy ) woceer ees oe re neieg atloia eS 25 #2 A aie Napier caceuh Napa Make teane. oc 2 o is : Se eed anaes ta eg Pep Mingy dyin Se eas 69 me oe Ee riba ea nS ns chia A 35 ry eS OE TQMRD ADS SAE eee aoe Oecd 32 a ¢ FS SO Sa: Se eee. ‘s ie a‘ Lee MARR Pent in, wets 80 ee af x OFS! WY oka Ces naca th thes Ae See 83 = os fe rid DRS N 2 SEs sae Pe See 37 ¢ E : NES rR EP rp Nie AAA 35 i ce - SE EN ected atk ore ne eet oe 74 “ iy Gi tir (eC ERLE Wao ga tee ee cone eR oe 75 x ee 2 Foi | (ieee Ls nT Re eee 34 re : or Boe eth SY oii ate Ao ae 50 ae : Of outs ate A eee aca nee ee a 81 fe : ME gene Re ts ny aa ae 84 ; ; mS Reraretnhykne tS) cor aN aie 4 7 . o SMM casera hs An igs tA ee 50 e oH “f COREE RE RRA ECS ORME ANE et 58 is : . RR VRP et og Sse ie 79 cs * 3 PL ee Pee Ale ee Es 85 SS . Me his WAR ah, ei a 35 v7 ‘ ; ST ob > Seuuranswe eters ae ene ae 35 ‘ al EAT ee Nes 4 etry 2) 50 04 97 79 38 35 47 48 48 00 1904. May 25. i) “I Aioiaves le 10. Julys) 1. 29. Aug. 3. 10. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. ~I 8 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Sept. 21. “ ae Ce |. Re UE tot Ae 10 40 23. c eo ON. TRE WOON ARE coi oF 350 OS cs . oS CI ec eke an Sar esate eee Stee 35 25 Oca) .o- My “ 5 CeO Es ese chances lle, 0°. 1,000 00 Nov. 2. rh # 2 LP ery frie eo odoc os ony hee wON 37 80 10. os ii es RD ere as ble p's co.cicke 4 25 30. a y oo free EEA! 8 cto ob: 409 06 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 9 1904. Nove 30) “By received from: State ireasurer..:.....2..00005-400-% $83 15 i s a SMM OS oc SENS rehire eee el ae 80 10 se e I « | |” GRRE Re ee ene bre eiter me 20 00 Decs78: £ vt ce SONNE the ott hey aes. ore 28 50 os e oh SSMS tes ara bac raion 32 04 28 oo i fe SSR fete? OE Cee en a 83 00 * ss = a ein cuca cla CREE RRO 83 00 = cn F Ae Ga yy eae ced he keg 7 85 iM ne REET CS coe roo 9 20 ‘ ce ss eS I) SP ee eae 411 34 Morell syshcp aes gots: ate eave yee AAR os ces Sew 3! 55 28a Se Re ee ree $7,234 48 Wm. P. MORTON, Secretary. Dee. 31, 1904. wo 10 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. \ I. Tue Stocking oF Our PONDS AND STREAMS WITH SUITABLE FRESH-WATER FisH, THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTION OF EaeGs AND FRY. Trout. Your commission has purchased and, with the assistance of fisher- men who are interested in the preservation of this species of game fish, has distributed very generally throughout the State 40,000 yearling trout, viz.: in Hope Valley, Beaver River, Barboursville, East and West Greenwich, Exeter, Foster, Runnins River, North and South Kingstown, Natick, Usquepaugh, Brek Heart Brook, as well as through all the northern part of the State, and at Newport. The fishing has been quite equal to that of last year. We are in- formed that in some instances this line of fishing is followed for the market. In some states this is prohibited. Black Bass. We received from the Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, 400 small-mouth and 500 large-mouth black bass; these were placed in Fenners, Quidnick, and other ponds. This is the first consignment the Bureau of Fisheries has been able to send us, but in the future it is expected that we may receive for dis- tribution larger numbers. Shad. Your commission received from the Bureau of Fisheries a car- load of shad fry. Three millions of these were distributed as follows: Palmer Riviersab shad! factoryn.a- 4... te cece ere meee 1,050,000 RAIMA SWRI VOT cise tousiisyiy aoe 3.6!) a sysydoeit bie, Gro oaeeee ieee aOR otter 950,000 RAN UUERCE SET CLs te ica ca ccdaieed asd cet dats the ele gt on ae ee RE 800,000 Oaks and Beach Cove............. Lat a a 200,000 3,000,000 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. it The catches at Warren and Runnins rivers have shown very satis- factory results; at the Pawtuxet Falls many fine fish have been taken. Bay Fishing. The early fishing for tautog was good, and the fish averaged larger than last year. Squiteague were not as plentiful as last year. Sum- mer fishing for scup in the upper waters of the Bay was very good. Wy, REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Il. Tse CouuecTIon oF DATA AND Statistics RELATING TO THE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. The tables here submitted, made up from data derived from the books of the transportation company, show the yearly variation in shipments, but do not pretend to give the total amount of fish caught. It is extremely difficult to get complete statistics of the State without depending upon estimates or guesses. An estimate of the catch of lobsters in the waters of the State has been made up by our deputies and is submitted. Table of Fish, Lobsters, Etc., Shipped From Newport During the Last 19 Years by Regular Transportation Lines Out of the State. No. of Barrels Barrels Barrels Barrels Barrels No. of Horse- Year. Fish. Lobsters. Fels. Crabs. Sturgeon. Sword-fish. mackerel. VSB 7ecu. 02 16657 834 é SSS eee. 15,033 L6H TSS Oe e. 19,306 2,047 1900 Fee 8,933 2,650 SSO Resse meae 18,032 2,204 139 Dees 26,832 2,123 SG Secs. 24,452 1,399 SOA ers: 17,769 2,392 Its aera oe 24,622 2,119 a oe Ss ida US8056 o a5 20,425 1,728 By Fy. ay 143 IS fess taser 25,098 2,039 se a oe 45 SOR Toren a 34,065 1,163 oe at os 74 SOO Fone ue 34,917 4,143 ie 56 ae 162 G00 ee: 38,184 4,793 zits as = 166 (90Is5,.2.. 50,500 4,393 {Oe - 21 1902 sao! 53,986 4,342 ope 1 ne 179 viens LOOS sass: 54,384 1,474 sis 84 11 164 79 1904.20... 62,106 1,921 18 ina aie 554 336 Total... 545,301 42,925 18 85 11 1,508 415 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Bs Table Showing Number of Barrels of Fish and Shell-Fish Shipped From Newport by Regular Lines During the Year 1904. Fish. | Lobster.| Crabs. |, Horse] Sword- | reis, | Clams. JanUaAryeess= ss... L498 224 a aa | oa February......./.. 923 183 a a Aen Marchi@mren etc. 02 234 241 PANO tere eae dararias. 4 485 230 Wei ire eee hs ale hie 17,086 397 5 5 15 June 18,783 327 25 130 160 | 3 JU aters cet cick teks 5,993 268 10; 119 300 a AMPUSt...0-.c.<-.-]| 7,240 4 4 40 47 5 Ab September.........| 5,768 5 1 31 9 a 2 Octobemna. so: 2,342 9 op 9 DS 5 1 November......... 793 8 2 1 2 December.>...2 2: 961 30 Motalberer.. so24.5 62,106 | 1,921 45 336 554 18 8 Estimate oj the Number of Pounds of Lobsters Caught in Rhode Island Waters for the Season of 1904. Fish markets. Pounds. Lancaster, BDO jase ae Roe oe enc Ae 5,000 Lawton, Sy Styl Mee ra ree: deed, Fg 6,000 Toliefson Dewitt, SG is een poarch Eat AK, Me 10,000 Wyatt, Mote che ey 9,000 Ash, al Ae tet Rie Nat SR. bie 15,000 Carey, OOM Cw ary ema OTe Le eRe ose 12,000 Smith, Spence Nit Ch 1d here hae Pa eet a ae 9,500 Crowly, ty ae SUBS sats Nearest Sea ¥ ¢ 500 Ring, "hs Ley SCRE RM) Sek AMS ko Sek 800 Easterbrooks, SME A Sia set isc. 2 sO a en RR 5,000 » C. B. Anderson, ST ct te IRS, RA cnc, ka 34,074 H. McGinn, ay citer 02) ERROR cos 113,430 Restaurants, la cat 52 eae pee eae iy 6,700 226,994 Sakonnet, : | pail” LOAN ene tpsnt hn tan Pal Ls La 150,000 | Narragansett Pier, | RE OL erent tcichs's. < Shpekd ROR PMOM LENS oe io clan aoe os tee 376,994(=1,885 barrels.) 14 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. The number of boats engaged in lobster fishing in this State are: State. Sail boats. Row boats. Pots. INGwHaOkiermeter et y= a nicic nro tus Or ee eee 36 35 5,000 NGTTAS ASE Ubmers eye « shaver « o.g)eus aievei ale) ole 9 Hore settee teen 3 3 400 SAME SESLOWINSe tt ns facilis 2 nee rae eaeierertnane il 2 150 AISOMIMG tea Mise Ailes thes ciara 3 tars cate eee 1 5 250 HU ASURERIVCE: Sette tO) eis eh aelencoctees 2 ciuet AT SEE ATR 3 0 185 Wisner teh eter econo ie eee Lae ee 2 0 180 GEC GTBEL ER tas ho ts he ee Sy aaa pee 0 1 70 Wis bella se x cs ovecd neo ave ce es. ast Oe eee 1 4 400 Block mMsland «1; sgars.s,s, -72-a kia epee oe see Pes ec: ) 1,200 ATES TOW ees < Elsi enc. wc feud eve teg Sioned eto a ohne eke 10) 3 100 55 53 7,935 April 14, at Long Wharf, Newport, there was a large fleet of lob- ster boats awaiting the end of close time. This fleet included 1 launch, 3 sloop-rigged, 28 cat-boats, and 26 skiffs. These were sup- plied with 541 lobster pots. Lobsters Received From Nova Scotia From December 17, 1903, to June 30, 1904. Packages. Pounds. Shorts. Egg Lobsters. December as eet pone 254 44,450 470 Janay esas cae ee eae ae oe 414 72,450 1,585 a BH) ORG UEZINY/ 2h ene ROOM RC eo 273 47,765 903 16h LETTE) Oss ake PS eee Ry SRR 374 65,450 1,097 ay PANO TUR Mee om caet ghikiin Seniesa ae 390 68,250 383 28 1 UI es eae Ce ee 292 51,100 29 40 SUE Re tele eter chose hth lows 212 37,100 110 48 Total from December 17, 1903 to July 1, 1904, 2,209 packages; 386,575 pounds; 4,577 shorts; 116 egg. The short lobsters and egg lobsters imported from Nova Scotia were handed over to the deputies and liberated in Rhode Island waters. The important industry of trap fishing is growing steadily, as will be seen by the statistics of the next chapter. In Narragansett Bay, REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 15 from Warren and Fall River to Newport and Sakonnet, and outside the mouth of the Bay, the number of traps has been nearly doubled in the last seven years. At Block Island the statistics have not been taken until the past year. The trap fishing commences in the spring as early as the traps can be set, and continues until late in the fall. The winter flounder, haddock, shad, scup, squiteague, tautog, blue fish, mackerel, and cod are all of great importance. Butter fish, bonitos, sea bass, sturgeon, and many other species are caught also in considerable numbers. During the past season an unusual num- ber of sword fish have been caught. (See tables.) The season for these fish begins near the first of July, when the fish are moving north- ward, and ends in September or October, when the southward mi- eration is in progress. The trap fishermen report that for two years the squiteague have been unusually searce in the traps inside the mouth of the Bay, and that, while in 1903 the northeasterly winds may have prevented their entering, this cause could not be assigned for the scarcity in 1904. Many complaints have been made by fishermen of the heavy target practice, on the ground that it has an unfavorable influence on the migration of fishes. This question is, of course, a serious one, but one not easy to solve without more definite data. During the past season the fish seem, in some instances, to have changed their cus- tomary routes of travel and to have been abundant where they are usually scarce and vice versa. The increasing number of spiny dog-fish has been noticed in the last few years. These fish are a serious menace to the cod fishing, the trap fishing, and the lobster fishing. It seems reasonable to suppose that there are causes or conditions which determine these remarkable changes in the movement of fishes and the sudden or gradual increase or decrease of the abund- ance of certain species in certain places. Could we know what these conditions are, even if we could not in any measure control them, we might predict the movement in such a way as to take advantage of them. A knowledge, for example, of the causes or conditions which 16 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. ‘ made the fish abundant in the “eastern passage’ rather than in the ‘““western passage’’ as is usual, would mean many thousands of dol- lars to the fishermen. It is with this general point of view that the northern countries of Europe have combined their forces and have instituted a thorough systematic survey of all the fishing waters from the English Channel to the Baltic, going over all the territory at regular intervals and systematically recording all obtainable conditions, physical and biological. The death of great quantities of menhaden early in June, in the upper portion of the Bay, occasioned considerable concern in the public mind as well as among the fishermen. At Pawtuxet and in various other places the dead fish upon the shore were so numerous that it became necessary to remove them by cartloads. Throughout the whole Bay, but more particularly in the head waters, the dying fish were to be seen at the surface swimming in circles on their sides or backs, leaping out of the water, and acting in all respects as though they were “crazy.” The blood vessels were often seen to be congested in the region of the gills, eyes, brain, and head generally. On micro- scopical examination, the blood showed a great quantity of bacteria which were taken to be the cause of the disease. Cultures were made of these bacteria by Dr. C. A. Fuller and Mr. H. L. Madison, and many inoculations were made in apparently healthy fish. Many of the latter died, but usually without going through the mad stage characteristic of the disease. The death is apparently due to a bac- terial disease. It is not difficult to imagine how the fish may contract it in our much polluted head waters, for they gather their food by straining the water through the gill rakers. But it is not so easy to see how the fish in the lower part of the Bay, where the water is pure, could contract the disease. Captain Rollin Mason, of Wickford, an experienced menhaden fisherman, has given us some information which throws light upon this difficulty. Mr. Mason says, and this has often been observed, that the menhaden die in this way in the head waters of nearly every estuary which is polluted by the wastes _ REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 17 of a large city. They were especially abundant, and therefore es- pecially noticeable, last year at the head of our Bay. They move more rapidly than is generally supposed, and it would not be unusual for them to go from Providence to Newport in a very few days. Outside the Bay, in the schools of menhaden caught “off shore,” the disease has never been observed. As a tentative explanation of the phenomenon, we would suggest the following: The fish contract the disease in the polluted water near our cities. Their lability to the disease is greater than that of any other fish, because of their habit of feeding. In many instances, while the disease is incubating, they swim unnoticed many miles away toward deeper water; then, when the disease is developed, they suddenly appear at the surface. The phenomenon is lable to occur in any year, but will become obnoxious only when the fish are unusually abundant near the cities. The very prevalent opinion that the fish die because of a worm in the head is probably not valid. Worm-like parasitic copepods (degenerated crustacea) occur in menhaden very commonly, in those which are healthy and are taken in the schools off shore as well as in the sick ones in the estuaries. 18 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. III. TsHer Location or FisH—-TRAPS WITHIN THE WATERS OF NAR-— RAGANSETT BAY, AND THE COLLECTION OF STATISTICAL Data BEARING UPON THEIR OWNERSHIP. For seven years (since 1898) the commission has been annually collecting data in regard to the location and ownership of the numer- ous fish-traps which are set each year along the shores of Narragansett Bay and immediately off its entrances. This year the field has been extended so as to include the region of Block Island, which is by no means an unimportant factor in Rhode Island fisheries. The table shows a steady increase in the number of traps set. This is especially noticeable in the Sakonnet river and the off shore traps. These latter have not only increased in number, but have been set further and further off shore, and the catch has warranted still fur- ther extension in coming years. The location of the traps is shown in the two accompanying charts. TABLE SHOWING NUMBER AND GENERAL DISTRIBUTION OF FISH-TRAPS SINCE 1898. The following arbitrary divisions have been made for sake of con- venience: I. Providence River.—South to a line joining Warwick Point and - Popasquash Point. Il. Greenwich Bay.—South of Providence river division in west passage to a line drawn east and west touching southern part of Hope Island. Ill. West Passage. region to a line drawn due west from Beaver Tail and west of line The west passage south of Greenwich Bay connecting the east end of Greenwich Bay boundary and North Point. IV. Mount Hope Bay.—North of railroad bridge, Tiverton, and a line connecting Bristol Ferry and Muscle Shoal Light. Q . oD REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 19 V. Hast Passage.—South of Providence and Mount Hope Bay division and north of a line from Beaver Tail to Brenton’s Point. VI. Sakonnet River.—The Sakonnet river south of railroad bridge to line connecting Flint Point and the breakwater. VII. Off Shore.—Traps south of above divisions and not including Block Island. VIII. Block [stand.— East Mount Providence Green- West Hope Sakonnet East Off Block Year, River. wich. Passage. Bay. River. Passage. Shore. Island. Total. SOS sie: 4 6 26 9 34 15 25 ae 119 NSO Orel. 3 10 23 11 35 15 24 ae 121 SOO 4 16 24 16 34 12 29 sae 135 1901..... 7 15 24 13 52 14 26 Mey TOO 2 ee 6 22 27 13 52. 14 27 ae 161 1903..... 7 21 32 13 72 16 30 Bs 195 WSO coe 6 27 33 7 78 14 49 6 220 1904. Ojf-Shore Traps. sEsiarectnrebiacian WV) (QO) 803 cha oer e ete ies 2-2 ein ee ed eee Seal Ledge. Brrohiimiam, Woke. , o>. came ee are Below Bull Rock. HS Tole Unrest aM ws NV /seee ee. 9c ess eee eee gio ta Below Cormorant Co. TOmuie be AneSs..3 4: 2-<. 5A mmenners a Gus nate egentd ateya Lower Pier. Ernonnel le Ja mecis «.) 2,00 a) eR eLek ee etl aed Coggeshall’s Ledge. Rowe TATIeS 40.05. ace ers wot ine 8 Coggeshall’s Ledge. rovgnelln james... : .\:\3 sh apps ae a. ct ore ry oS Elisha’s Ledge. @riert pe Gcex(OWO), os 5 ic Aone he ae yee ee Oe nd Spouting Rock. (CUANUE Ga Te ig 2 ae SPRUE, <7<1 Ose Ee ee eR Lower Pier. CS USADTEATG] ste 74 SCOR neg PROC OD er e °os 0015, a ag Coggeshall’s Ledge. RODD ale cet i ssa eee Ren cp ed whee oe Coggeshall’s Ledge. (CUNT Ca) ee) oe Sea ee Coggeshall’s Ledge. COLONST ACESS a ae am i CE eo ee Cormorant Rock. * The ciphers indicate the number of traps set in line on one string of leaders. 20 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Basterprooks <©(O00))o. .022. sti. kets) ty eee ee Price’s Neck. BSWERPeSR@ Oe) oe eu eee car ibeiei scale od site ov ee, eee eR ake Seal Ledge. Fishemes:Gor (OOOO) 2.055 2+ -c:s »bahaeeee ee Sakonnet Light. Garrat AV LOM s.. foie ys) si0:'e onde io eae a eee eee Narrow River. Gem ey TAY ea 2) pte iel valued epee ners South Cormorant Rock. Gmiare RGA, 3... 5 s/s: eoe wits lo ean sien teeeoraeye Sele Sakonnet Light. TG Cee Gr WEL sso icic a: -. sa busts «peg Bereta eet eee eer South Breakwater. Macomber & SIMMONS . 204-7 eee eee Below Coggeshall’s Ledge. Provagence Mish Cos: 40: ceplee ce irs hae South Cormorant Rock. Providence; Bish: Co... 2.2 abel. seins cron slat cs Sakonnet Light. PROSEAEUN Gs hue 2 Wht cote, ieee eres ere Lae eee Below Cormorant Rock. INOSE MANNE: oh aia ea Cec eiet cnn tt eee net ed: Below Coggeshall’s Ledge. Ose Ge One! «ater, seca eee ie a ee er tae South Cormorant Rock. Riese: (Geen (00) aah ene ions sci he ence oar North Sakonnet Light. Sakcommet: On Sher CO meee eke se pistol es een are ite eee Below Pier. Sakonnet Oyster Co hecs a2 20). ite en a eire eeee Below Pier. Sakonnet Oyster Co........ ie pak ooh eas Be Below Cormorant Rock. Sakonnet Oyster Coss yavs sic. ohiaspce rise eee Below Seal Rock. Waits, SB yncia Race cobs, ap bactngs often fa 4 Sn ie ce ee eee Breakwater WillcoxecEl. (OO) > acc ct mceey ciate eieeenoniers: East Cormorant Rock. Wilcox HH: 4(00)).. cers Fo ee ona Ake ee South Cormorant Rock. Anderson’ Gu (Bie o's 5 sy ea ae OS Se eee ae Coddington Cove. MGeTSOTIEr (2 Wit 2\..'ahaia! oc) Len aiehags 2: ses eae Coddington Cove. Bra vaso Gre (O00) osc... OS eine cron aee arememer North Prudence Park. Brrawon Gris 8! es a8 os. Oe a a Se ee Pine Hill Point. PuipembervGeOrges..i i300.) Vea : ocean meee Ragged Limb Ledge. @ammenneny GeOrgse ss. .\..2:.!2'2)7 we ne eee eee South Ferry. Ci fovulie (ay roel Opals 2 Aus Cee arrearage West Shore, Greenwich Bay. Corey, Ed. (0000) ............Lower West Shore, Sakonnet River. (Sinelemmiicl er ee nies scat sacs wines Sd ila dt lee ea Church’s Cove. Coreyace Marcint (OO) Rieti sal. cn bs ok eee High Hill Point. OCordyace MATHS Tol Sats ceee sit eh woe 2 othe nee arenas High Hill Point. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. PA Comer ca Mantini a4. cata datee we a4 5 ee ea South High Hill Point. Coreynom bart, (OOM aera esi abersrers, 5, hcl elev ers North Brown’s Point. Crmeng cae Martin (OOOO) seas ae neeteu tere asialchs ote ewan oe Brown Point. Core caviartu (OO). 2c sst ae anaes oes North Church's Pom Corey ceetantim (OO) a... 2. Ske aeriacies. ss ae North Church’s Point. COROT che SS oP ae a ger re West Popasquash Neck. WGrereR TS yee cs Seats aim tn vic oe oes West Popasquash Neck. CO etre WPS s Nl ois 62, 2s 5.2 asec eye West Popasquash Neck. Were PG Sepa eae gtene aero, oss. = +. ,51 ener ee Mount Hope Point. opie: (WOO) es emeres kos Central East Sakonnet River. Coirnte lan Vereen tye ee ea tae. 8) 2S os Bae wea North Tiverton. APonemrelPMVVinae tac od. Um s Pos. SNe Gar ag North Tiverton. JECT OGIE. COG cee eee ae ob ce) eae gS Pe South Portsmouth. Bishr sO limbo! 35... 4 dee eee ss de. Yam ees: ao North Livertonr AEais Laem @ tra ty Ohh ear 274 » 4A fat Speed Poco gs) slurs uct as North Tiverton. chen @limbGoms(OU):2 2’. 1.t.saeemeeiae baal. hes seo eee McCurry’s Point. Ge Slee ene Vorth Black Point. WillbommWieeioe tye 8. alle 6d oe wey ie South Black Point. WHISOTRWiker eee Ss ee bass so > Sone Sandy Point. Walsame Al (000). 220.4. 2. 24 way eyepeeteiole North Calf’s Pasture Point. Wilson Aly. figs wane nig eng ake ® Sra tye ear Pojae. WialkS Ome MW aao$ on: .5604,5 2.5 oe 8 2 tel one North Black Point. sinaT ung er @ wind PPyalyeT NT “YOGI 40) sdeay ysiy yo uo1e907 243 Sumoys “ANVTSI SOOT PPYAUS INIOd XANVS 2080 TMNT wog® = pay wows P VPP Re » A =rateooge “wae @temsoig 00%» ®e ‘ omy @ pwe ero oe ° e s Se Otueere sonnng@ vd nee yma ® mg a - e ° : Lea * ogse omer wou bysy epevowity ® yesry - % @troqnss Pein ° @ anon 7g }) e © vobanoy © vpodingy ) @ wobsnos, ta @\7neding womaynty Zee iz s ke (\ a bw a (0 =, @ es ¥ J SS 2 ORD Ay 2 oft rren sot 8 J 009 fy. 4g, soa UMS e eo) lim t ma nmtg /) Oe LUE es ow 00 ( We eyes 07, Ls % | @pevon Pest @ v) A, 2 won. @ \ °° " 2 y Pa arene ‘evna a “ Jie “a ov e e : L. Ny “ eo ° i Nad Poy “a dnquon at Vg a, =o ‘ ~ ay \ ) e wonpony zKa e odng seer y ° 940 BLRAOK % "POGI roy Jaodey Auedmoooe 03 SoMaysIy PUT] Jo WOIsstmMOD pues] epoyy 3HL AS G3u¥d3aud “POG! 40) sdeay ysiy yo uone207 ayy Surmoys ag ‘AVG L.LASNVOVUNYN yD sc, (i ___——a a ————L UU _—— a —* Se, = meen —— = a ae haa ~ — = = < Soe ~ waes a aN. Ay Beng rD. YA APY, AFSRAVI ‘ ee Pa ame 4 ] oa ee . MOL +0i 2qs1T A2id Yo noiisso! 6 igoireal 4) = - 4 bad ee Pe = eo mares = as a 5 ee * SHT ¥2 GURATSAS ae - aes; = > I hoalnd to sotaainnmo0 haslel shot a ren \ : a i) On REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. IV. Tue ContTiInvED EXAMINATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND Bio- LOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE WATERS OF THE Bay, BEGUN IN 1898. The plan of these investigations and the reason for undertaking them are set forth in the last report. Considerable information was added last season to that already at hand. 26 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. V. A CONTINUANCE OF THE SURVEY OF THE SHORES OF THE Bay FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING THOSE PORTIONS WHICH ARE Most PRODUCTIVE OF SEED CLAMS. The expeditions made in the latter part of the summer revealed a large set of clams. A few places, such as a portion of Green’s Island and a portion of Old Buttonwoods, where a phenomenal set has occurred in previous years, did not possess even an ordinary set. With these few exceptions the shores were very thickly set with clams. Upon the shore of Cornelius Island, Wickford, one sample area produced 386 clams per square foot. In another area, a little distance away, the set was so thick that little clams were crowded out of the ground as they grew larger, because of actual lack of space, and lay in windrows upon the shore. On August 12th one square foot in this area was carefully marked out upon the shore, care being taken to select an average spot, the soil was removed to a depth of two inches, and the clams in it were carefully counted. From this amount of earth 4,264 clams were obtained. Later in the season, on September 7th, an area of eight square yards was dug up and the clams carefully sifted out. From this area 48 quarts of clams were obtained, or a pint and a half from every square foot. The following table gives brief comments on the character of the set in several localities. Location of Clam Grounds. Set of 1904: Visited August—September, 1904. Gommellws mislead es ie es lly tone eis Mn et gd nanan tee te Thickly set. Cormeliusiistand:: Ss W. Pomits! 20 See anlar Extremely thick. MGIC over AWC KEORG iii. cohen 'o alia is © cachet rie aha ea anal Good set. MiMCoveSomtinemOres <0 e722... «chats oh ogatereatneee te mens Very good set. MillsGove ;Wedt Shoe 2 oils. ss as hs bie nee eer Fair set. Mall Coves Niort SHOre er ciei. aie at oc 3-9, 0, « Sie etree Good set. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. PAE — EMEA ELE TIVE CO;V," WIC KMONC aseew eis bye eh sos Sop oe Extremely thick. Willase Gove. Wickiordi:.cgs eases). oak se veld Rawle eee eee Good set. RESINS OVE WiICKLOrd fg tp ser) oy see) ATA Sele btided Good set. SUE lef 030 A Ne we ca eS Good set. Vs SAC EOC Ker ricys 2h hdc Wena Qs RM reek ae = ous 2 OA a aps Good set. Opiate rom, ast and) Wiest meee: Giec 2 “6a Aine) LF “6c Ane|9F “62 Ane|sh “6s Ang | Pr “6a Aner “26 Ame |Zr “62 Ame| Ih “oe Amp|Or ‘any |6E eoorrtrtwmonriwmwaiaoanr or @ cas Ir 91 ZS BST O°FT O°ST O°ST ost 0°91 ZB 91\"s B Sill ‘sny/se SFT s 28 “og sen amnled saad sceellesns sped ecoel nated iporetade)| Pete cael erecta lanl Reel meant; yale g ineeel ere ee oid fsa] ) reap or | |e pone Reiaeeead | pari Baer err nes bent ‘te smel| et |---|: “en smneltz Jagd [due] haste d||[oooe| pens] soe saeee| Pesala rece een | Sead pede gach lira el eeae yarn ir 526) 6q}o-accind | :oo- | ed brogeaded|| eane bce Beeeeeenel 5606] sec Breese sey litveal bout bes ae ar edie decree dtecedice decrees eccteg samy] erdls-7]-ge smell or foo] -en Ameer ceei|tnnefessecaee|ioneelsces|ecereree|acesfecalecesssesleceatecesdeege amell ox |--++]- er Atmel zt saek| Heda baapeeee lane GaSe Beocesae Gal biocel seas we ll lhea pel eeeeell Seca iter] Rea cos “8p “ep Jooe oa: [be sabe Selene Faced Eo Berea | Bee is Pe oe | een eee eee cnt | Piece] peer peeeeeeen sacl bodelicee anonel|lssae] see Be eet el bl ape eevee lie ene eee sel ee rhc peal Pe ssoafh.celbsecomablflsccalleaad Ea ye cep |l eee |iednel ters eee | era) Eo ortiay wep aeeel Pcie eertoccr es] Bn Bobet eae er ere |e eee eer | Peel | = etl ecm (herell saaclecoeemnalleesa|o=et as aaeene cele sting beseellaecisnae|l ete faced) sy Fe(cee| | el orl ry csv lle aban] eeese sal eee linac eececone be “atv. | “ported 94845 | | “pg any ‘lug any “og ‘any “SOVLG HLg “a9VLg HL) “veg Ainge ‘| Fe Ane “Le Ainge “aDVLG HO 16 seau)facoalfaee acl < | Sebel a raed lpia llooba 4G9e =p [Pepa Pood aceosur aA lS sehdusadlbae eneelll cael beodbery catedl| eae ed ecm rarcalleced faded fosecn: sah sone Ae Aleroelfoceel bare salle | Bec Baiey sell home becoleciaoa eos socdlbacd)eeroseullllecdbcodee Saxaliaye [bose sons aeag | [eod la ad peocusens| fa Sscelh: Sellbeoscuselll oud banal bay ere heel pobel aaeeey re pace Beed|[Seeoca aA socdlecet)ppee ened lhbcelleaedlig. saat aga bed besieremlllehon oid onccooedl> seuel age idadeod geal seuel lars eacl| pal begel nose sell beng Neo see éodk Sood bsee-|fozoadadl Beaslhpond ley ctaell) Gl pocel eearevamn| beg] beee] Pekeognn sh 2/2 aye nw Dl! w z a |S g | Ss a |s a |S + ry “aLYq 2 “avd A “ALY ¢ “ALY a & 3 “aOVLG “aOVLg Alp ‘sabppuadd py burypiauabay alow 10 auo bumpy suasqoT fo powagq buryynoyy ay2 uo nyo ‘9384S 4IG 94} 10J BIEp aja;dwo0o payuedord AjMoGyIpP OUIUS OY, ‘819}SGO] 8BEIS YITT PUG TOT 24} JO polled oFuys oy} uO saQup PoyUaAeld Gg] JoquIo,dag JaqJB SUOTWVAIESqO UO HurAr1v9 ur AyNoyIp oy} AJoqwuNy10FU/) 44 *seduzueored Aq s}[nsez a|qENTBA BAI 0} PaulWExE 219A Mey 00} ‘S194SqOT BBS YIST 84} JO °% PL ‘eabys YITT OF WIOT *% LT ‘adeqs WIOT 04.196 °% Tz ‘e3eys 416 OF TIS "% LI 23848 WIS OF WIL *% 1% ‘emus WAL OF 99 *% BG ‘e0B 1S 739 0} WIS ISMOT[OJ SB OTB SABE{S AATSSa00NS 9y} IO} YIFue] UI ures jo aAujzUeoI1d [RULIOU aT.T, *@ZVIOAG BY} JO BSOY} ULY} J9}0Ys YonuI ov spoled eDEYs BAIssaONNS OY} 4B} UEMTTOEdS SIT} Y}iA\ UOTJOBUUOD UI PezOU eq OS/S []IA IT *% 16 2808 436 93 TIS "% GT ‘adeys WIS 07 WIL "% 8% ‘0584S WIL OF 99 "% 9% ‘eBes 19 03 WIE SSAOT[OJ SB GIB TABU] Ul sured oy} SeFuyzs SArsso0ons oy} UT “JOxSqo] OBvIVAU aq} JO 4eq} UL} prdvs slow puL Jo}y“eIs Yonu Seas YjAo17 sso usttoeds B syuasaidey ‘ odBi0Ay ‘eZuleAy MIT PO “eZuJeAy||*** “@DBIOAY O°9T $° 9 -ase0Ay) | f° FT/S GS) esEIeAy cai o#neay| | ep | urur sletarle “lovzel"* “eT “mmy)|" | St [O°lg|"61 “any seeefesealeseseees|s+2 D8. siWihalevRockia. ssc a: tec = =) (304) 32 1) LO 1556 cmt Bt Spe ctei|) sk Os a DOAN CT Mall se ueereteay sekelet. Beal eth |) lo 1567 . - a Be Venaiehe|' Sra op aea © a Snake baeeuctetoea steers Abel) SH | alo) 1568 Biemmgr 8 OO) pectaetei|) == E28 he : OD AS ai Na shoes crete vee PAE oi) il |! alo) 1569 Sa cece po 6 26a WihalesRocktect agus sear 80 e.| S20) 20 1586 hy S nal SD Fest pie | O28 ei beaveruball sasiacelerts evens = 29 alrol 400 1587 es COM ears airelll eee 2S ye) | WR TECOG Kea arses aaa cheust ei teks ere eel) ake ||) allo) 1591 i : * Wis Cesvhetallredee aor i by Mp aobcte ette ale a VAG) LO INTEMber liberated | nes a sa be toil ee e Puiate XVI.—Three-quarters view of the head region of a fourth stage lobster, showing (A) the appearance of the atrophied swimming appendage, or exopodite, of the right cheliped; also (B) the exopodite which still remains attached to the third maxilleped. (Drawn from life.) . ~ ~ mei FAY ears G) & \ Pirate XX.—The rostra of the fourth, fifth, and sixth stages, showing the difference which is com- monly observed in the form of the rostrum tip. (Drawn from life) Pekin ereee = f ‘ i + rod PLATE XII.—Head of young lobster in the sixth stage; presenting an appearance very simi- lar to that of Plate V. Drawn from life.) Ag + . ay; Vv ¢ “gn Aah Y) we ‘ 3 ‘ h Ii - 7 f a. ‘ » = i 7 t i i a U 1 & : ( & x Fi : - & 7 oe) a7 y > é ; a : ft © Pirate XIX.—Showing the difference which can usually be observed in the large claws when the lobster has entered the sixth stage. The left will develop into the ‘‘ crushing’ claw; the right, into the ‘nipping’ claw. (Drawn from life.) oe * oa ‘é fiseritt aie On REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. ‘ but such instances are not numerous, so that the change may be called most characteristic of the sixth stage lobster. (Plate XII.) The same facts hold true in regards the appearance and dévelop- ment of the external reproductive organs. Very often these may be observed in the sixth stage as small buds upon the under side of the first abdominal segment. They may not, however, appear until the seventh stage, and even then they are seldom developed beyond the bud stage. The differentiation of the sex of the young lobsters ean not be made clear by this means until the eighth or sometimes the ninth stage. The sex, however, can be determined earlier by observations of the openings of the egg or sperm duct upon the basal joint of the first and third ambulatory appendages, respectively. Seventh to the Twelfth Stages. The changes in form, if any, which may occur in the course of de- velopment from the seventh to the twelfth stage are too slight to be determined by any method yet devised. It is entirely possible, however, that continued observations may reveal some point which may be taken as a constant stage-criterion for these later stages. And yet, on the other hand, it is quite probable that, so far as the ereater number of discriminating facts is concerned, the rapidity of assuming structural conditions which might be characteristic of a certain stage is much dependent upon the strength or vitality of the individual lobster and upon the conditions of its environment. The young lobster, with few exceptions, assumes the adult color type when it enters the eleventh stage of its existence. The question now arises whether or not there is a definite stage in which the young lobster assumes its adult structural form; or is there a definite stage wherein it arrives at an adult functional condition. It is quite probable that further observations may demonstrate the truth of the former hypothesis,* while in regards to the latter, the develop- * Observations at the present date would indicate that the adult structural type is reached in the ninth stage. 56 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. ment is without doubt more strongly affected by environmental cir- cumstances, it being probable that the sexual maturity is not reached before the fourth or fifth year of the lobster’s life. Thus, with the scant data in hand, no facts can be positively asserted with reference to the change in form between the seventh and twelfth stages. The average length of the lobsters for these later stages is as follows: Duns bel eeerr tre LEIP Ree SOU COT he LT RET Sc nl ee 154 mm. Gt Staite As eee ye ie 6s Te LL Nie Se NA ah ied ene nin 135 RS] OMAHA CUCM eb ee a Me Rrra EA MAE Aue’ Siok, dae LO Ras: oe a aD Sis EA AR a A aI GLI ir AAD ee A DY iy ca 265 FOULS 212 a RU Pomeroy a et ml Weep a te a a LOGY SU ae ea) 4 Cee Lie crap aye AG mere ta aee ape oe ler SOM a DEAS GAS RG ica ey ie neat eNO eat Pee a ny a Reyer das ot Ree a eS II. THe PIGMENTATION OF THE LOBSTER AND THE COLOR CHANGES IN THE SUCCESSIVE STAGES. The study of the coloration in members of the class Crustacea, owing to the beauty and great variation in color, and to the physi- ological importance of the question of its nature, development, and function, has at all times proved an attractive field for the biologist. Yet unfortunately, to within a few years at least, it has been a field too fully overrun with speculation and too wholly unfrequented by the direct experimental results which can be gained from investi- gation upon many forms of both lower and higher crustacea. No doubt the desire to discover in many observed results the phenomena of natural selective tendency, in order to explain thereby the value and constancy of certain color markings and variations, has been responsible, in some measure at least, for the infrequency of definite lines of experimentation upon the conditions of color variation. When such experiments have been made, however, as in Cunning- ham’s investigations upon the color of young flounders, environ- 2 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 5 mental conditions have been found to possess a vast influence.* It is not, however, within the intended scope of this paper to put forth the results of extended experimentation, but to give briefly a survey of some of the more common facts of color variation and pigment development in decapod crustacea, together with a pre- liminary report of a series of observations extending over eleven stages of Homarus Americanus—a series which includes the succes- sive changes in color and coloration from the time of hatching to the attainment of the adult color type. In the early stages of the lobster are found frequent and very wide range of color variation. This may occur as successive color changes from stage to stage, as variation in the color of different individuals in the same stage, or again, in the changes in color through which a single lobster may pass during a single stage. In the first larval stages these variations occur as rapid and transitory, and yet uniform, changes from one color to another. In the young adult forms, however, although a wide difference in individual color is manifest, the color and color pattern appears more permanent and more constant to a given type when this type has been once estab- lished, while the sudden, transitory changes so characteristic of the larval stages are entirely absent. NATURE OF THE PIGMENTS AND OF THE CHROMATOPHORE SYSTEMS. The pigmentation of the lobster may be resolved into three dif- ferent constituents, the blue, the red, and the yellow. The blue is a soluble pigment, probably a lipochrome, dissolved in the blood, while the red and the yellow pigments, which may be also lipo- chromes, exist as a granular substance in certain cells, the chro- matophores. Each one of these chromatophores is a granular cytoplasmic body of neuroglia or stellate shape, having a center * Young flounders having been kept for sometime in tanks in the bottom of which mirrors were placed, showed in many cases large pigmentation of the under side, which is usually white; which seemed to show that some external cause, as light, was responsible for the change. 8 58 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. from which branch thick trunks, dividing later into finer ramifica- tions of a more or less tubular appearance.* In such cells the red or the yellow pigment les, sometimes expanding far out into the small branches, again contracting into the center, where it remains evident only as asmall dot of color. In cases of the greatest disten- tion of these pigment cells, if they be thick in a green area, a homo- geneous red coloration is produced. If in fewer numbers, each individual chromatophore with all its branches is plainly visible. In the early larval stages of the lobster it seems that the blue, soluble pigment is to be found at nearly all times, and when the red coloration is predominant it is merely because the blue color has been veiled, so to speak, by the great expansion of the red chromatophores, which both numerically and in comparative size are superior to the yellow. As stated, the blue pigmentation is diffuse. The chromatophores, however, are scattered irregularly, but often in regular groupings over the body and appendages, lying for the most part in the skin or cuticle or just below it. The distinction must be made, however, between the pigmentation of the chitinous exoskeleton and the pigmentation of the sub-adjacent epidermis in which the chroma- tophores reside and from which the pigment appears to be given off to the outer shell.f In the adult lobster the chromatophore-con- taining epidermis is quite concealed by the thick, calcerous exo- skeleton which has usually, at this stage, absorbed a large amount of lime-salts. In the earlier stages, however, whose exoskeleton is composed of thin, transparent, chitinous substance, the colorings of the epidermis readily show through and continue to do so until, as the stages advance and more lime-salts are added to the shell, it soon becomes translucent and later opaque. * Keeble and Gamble: The Color Physiology of Higher Crustacea. + It is readily observable by removing a bit of the shell of an adult lobster that sub-adjacent to each prominent olive-green spot lies a dense group of red pigment cells. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 59 Il. GROUPINGS OF THE CHROMATOPHORES. The distribution of pigment, including both the diffusion of the blue and the arrangement and grouping of the color cells, appears to be fairly uniform in the first three larval stages of the lobster. A slight variation may often appear in the third larva, however, namely,—the development of green blotches along the abdomen, thus somewhat anticipating certain characteristics of the fourth stage.* Generally speaking, the yellow pigment cells are not numer- ous, and have no regular arrangement either as individuals or as groups. Of the red chromatophores however, six fairly constant and well-defined groupings may be considered. (Plates XXIII, XVII.) 1. On the dorsal surface of the carapace in areas posterior and lateral to the region of the stomach. 2. Along the ventral and lateral border of the carapace where one complete row surmounted by a few irregularly placed cells is to be discerned. 3. In well-defined groups or frequently (especially in the third stage) in large individual cells, occurring in the dorsal region of the first three abdominal segments, close to and on either side of the mid-line. 4. In a variable area about the mid-anterior region of the last abdominal segment, where the chromatophores are often smaller and more scattered. 5. In the thoracic appendages on the segments nearest the body. 6. Throughout all segments of the chelipeds, especially in the third stage. The groupings, or ‘“‘chromatophore centers,’’ as termed by Keeble and Gamble,} somatic, neural, visceral, and caudal, seem to have but little significance for color-distribution in Homarus, where in the internal organs are not highly pigmented. Several varieties of color * This olive green was not noticed in any of the preceding stages and was quite different from the lighter yellowish green which was, in those stages, very prominent on the sides of the cara- pace and abdomen. + Keeble and Gamble: Color Physiology of Higher Crustacea. 60 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. may be produced, however, by the general color of the liver, alimen- tary tract, glands, etc., which in the comparatively transparent early stage lobsters may show through the delicate skin and produce colorations, the character of which depends largely upon the food of the young larve. III. Funcrion AND BEHAVIOR OF THE PIGMENTS IN LARVAL STAGES. The question of the possible function of these pigments in the lobster, as well as in other forms of crustacea, has yet to find a solu- tion; likewise the question to what the contraction and expansion of chromatophores is due. Pouchet, in his work, “‘Changements de Coloration sous l’influence des Nerfs,” gives the result of his experi- mentation upon such forms as the shrimp (Paleemon), with back- grounds of black and white. He finds that a black background, in sunlight, causes expansion, and that a white background, under the same conditions, causes contraction, of the chromatophores. He concludes that the background regulates the action of the chro- matophores through the medium of the nervous system, and believes that this phenomenon is a case of protective or adaptive coloration. Other investigators maintain that the chromatophore pigments are merely a functionless product of metabolism. If we consider that a similarity in the color of the individual and that of the environment is a phase of protective coloration, surely experiments upon Homarus hardly uphold the theory of a protective function in the color cells; for in strong light the pigments are the brightest, and in the dark the young lobsters are most pale. It does seem, however, that there may be both protective and adaptive significance in the later stages of the lobster which do not show the discontinuous variation which is characteristic of the larval stages.* * Even in the adult lobster, however, whose dark, mottled olive brown and olive green adapt him for a life at the bottom of the sea among the rocks and red and green alge, the phenomenon is probably the fortunate result of chemical influences; for, when placed in shallow water and exposed to the sunlight for some time, he readily becomes light colored again owing to the cha ge which takes place in the pigments of the caleerous exoskeleton. In this case the light- PuatE XVII —Diagramatic representation (dorsal view) showing the arrangement of chromato- phore groups common in the first three larval stages. The type drawing is of a third stage lobster, and shows also the arrangement of the swimming appendages. (Outline drawing from life.) PLATE XXIII.—Diagramatic representation (lateral view) of the various groups of red chromatophores as commonly distributed in the jirst three larval stages. The type drawing is of a first stage lobster; the swimming appendages are represented as if removed. (Outline drawn from life.) REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 61 As a basis for observations upon the nature of the discontinuous variation of the early stages, experiments were tried which seemed to demonstrate that, while the yellow pigment cells are slightly in- fluenced by light and heat, these stimul tend to produce a marked expansion of the red chromatophore systems. Darkness artifically brought to bear upon large numbers of first and second stage larvee in which red pigmentation was developed especially well resulted, with very few exception, in the contraction of the pigment into the chromatophore centers and in the regaining of the homogeneous blue coloration due to the soluble, diffuse pigment in the blood. Although in many cases the expansion of the red chromatophores followed as a result of putting the pale blue lobsters in the bright light, these results were less constant in occurrence and the changes re- quired a longer period. Nightfall and sunrise appear to be signals for a change in the color of the first three larval stages. Those ob- served in the daytime, if the light was bright, were, as a whole, well pigmented with red, while those observed at night showed the chro- matophores in a greater state of contraction. This diurnal flood and nocturnal ebb of pigment is characteristic of many of the higher crustacea.T First and second stage larvee, which were starved for some time, seemed to present red pigmentation to a greater degree. Repeated electrical stimuli also, in the majority of instances, gave similar results. Both of these facts would be in accordance with the theory that the occurrence of red pigment and the extension of the red chromatophores is due, or, to say the least, is associated with periods of weaker physical condition. This theory is partially substantiated by the fact that lobsters of all stages, from old adults down to the sensitive chromatophores of the pigment-producing epithelium do not appear to be the agent of adaptation to surroundings; indeed, it is very doubtful if the chromatophores themselves undergo any marked change due to penetration of light through the thick, ealeerous exoskeleton of the adult lobster. Thus if we assume that the phenomenon of protective or adaptive colora- tion is manifested in the adult lobster, the principle involved in the color change is very different from that attributed by Pouchet to the protective color changes—‘‘chromatie funection’’— which he found manifested in many young larval crustacea—changes which he believed to be brought about through the medium of the nervous system and its action on the chromatophore centers. + Keeble and Gamble. 62 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. first stage, are much more active at night, as evidenced by the splash- ing and beating within the cages of the adult lobsters, which by day lie quietly at the bottom; or by the restless crawling of the young adults among the pebbles and shells of their glass dishes, as soon as night has fallen; or by the more active swimming of the young larvee at night about the glass cylinders in which they were observed. To the results of many of these experiments appeared some con- tradictory facts, as for example,—on a dark and cloudy day vast numbers of young larve swimming about the bags evinced red pigmentation to a high degree. Not only this, but in the case of many large adult lobsters, floating in cages at the surface where they were exposed to the direct sunlight, their red coloration to a large degree was lost and the color became a brilliant blue often variated by leopard spots or mottlings. The normal color was not regained after some specimens had been sunk to the bottom of the harbor for a period of three weeks. It should be noted, however, that this change was not due to a disturbance of the chromatophores, but to some chemical change in the pigments of the exoskeleton. IV. PIGMENTATION OF THE FOURTH AND LATER STAGES. Fourth Stage. As has been stated on a previous page, when the lobster moults into the fourth stage there may be a wide variation in color and color patterns, but when once assumed there is, with a few exceptions, a constancy to this type throughout the stage, and often enduring into suecessive stages. The phenomenon of rapid and transitory color changes so characteristic of the first three larval stages is no longer present. In the color scheme of this stage we may note three varieties: (1) yellow, (2) red, (8) green. These terms designate the color types in which the stated color is predominant, but in which there may be many modifications; for instance, a yellow lobster may and usually does show in certain areas no small amount of red pigmentation, and REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 63 in other areas, green or orange. Likewise the type designated “oreen”’ is rarely wholly green, but shown many areas of red, brown, or yellow. The red type is the only one which may be found alone and constant without other color modifications with yellow, green, or brown. Such manner of constant red pigmentation may extend, with no change, through several or many successive stages of de- velopment. These other variations in color may occur, designated in terms of yellow-green, green and red, or reddish-brown, orange- red, but are to be considered as modifications of the three main types. The pigmentation of the fourth larval stage manifests some points which link it to the third, especially the pronounced red of the chele, the grouping of red chromatophores as in group (4), and the predomi- nance of the olive-green along the sides of the abdominal segments. The coloration during the latter part of the fourth stage, moreover, anticipates to some extent the color of the succeeding stage, so that it is not at all uncommon to find lobsters in the late fourth stage which show a deepening brown color, wherein there may be seen dimly light spots on various parts of the body and appendages, an- ticipating again, in this feature, a peculiarity of the next, or fifth, stage. Such anticipation of color is fairly common in the latter part of this and later stages as the time of moulting draws near. COLOR CHANGES IN THE LATER STAGES. As has been already stated, in the fourth and later stages there is never found the rapid and transitory color changes characteristically exhibited in the first, second, and third larval stages. There usually is, however, some slight color change between the beginning of a cer- tain stage and the end of the stage—a change which is generally manifested as a darkening of whatever the color type may be, and in a loss of detail in the color markings or patterns. This fact is one which, developed at this period, holds true for all later stages, namely a darkening in color as the time of moulting draws near. In spite of this general fact there may occur a more or less sudden change in the color of these later stages, although such cases are very rare 64 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. indeed. I have recorded a case wherein a lobster of the eighth stage whose color was cream-slate, being observed two days later, mani- fested a marked salmon color. The lobster had not moulted between the time of the observations, and moreover the salmon color per- sisted through the eighth and ninth stages, at the end of which time the observations were unfortunately brought to a close by the on- coming winter season. Thus, in the following stages, we may ex- pect to find a decided constancy manifested in adherence to a defi- nite color pattern, easily observable in the same lobster through many successive stages. As has been noted, this fact is shown especially well in the development of “red lobsters,” though it is well demonstrated by observations made on many other varieties more common. It may be here stated that methods devised at the Rhode Island Fish Commission Hatchery at Wickford for rearing the young adult lobsters past the fourth stage furnished excellent facilities for making observations upon the changes in form and color in the later stages, each individual lobster whose definite age and stage was known being confined in its own separate apartment where observation might be carried on from day to day. Insomuch as awnings were raised over the cars containing the young lobsters, which occupied a rather superficial position in the water, it is quite probable that normal conditions of environment were produced and that none of the color variations observed were due to the effect of bright sunlight, which, as was demonstrated in some cases, was responsible for cer- tain color changes in a large measure. The observations upon all the stages were made while all the lobsters were under the same conditions. Fifth Stage. The characteristic color of the fifth stage lobster is-a rich brown set off by light spots varying (except in the case of the body spots, which are always white) in intensity from snow white to dirty yellow, often marking definite muscle attachments, yet not infrequently Puate XVIII.—The fourth stage lobster, showing the loss of swimming appendages which has taken place since the third larval stage. (Photograph from a drawing in color.) REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 65 occurring in varying localities of the body and appendages. This typical brown may, and usually does, have many modifications among which the most prominent are red-brown, maroon, and brown and green. The light spottings may occur in the following localities: tips of chele, of maxillipeds, of telson, of rostrum, of pleura, and tips of the exopodites of the last pair of abdominal appendages; or they may exist as body spots. In case of the last, the position is usually on the anterior and lateral region of the carapace, where they mark certain attachments of the gastric or mandibular muscles, or they may form large light patches over the heart or gastric region of the carapace. The spots may occur in any or all of these positions at once, but the most constant are the claw tips, body spots, and those on the first abdominal segment and on the telson. It may here be noted that the transparency of the body often so evident in the larval stages, wherein many of the internal organs such as the green gland and vesicle, stomach, intestine, heart, liver, gills, ete., could be demonstrated more or less distinctly, and which has to a great extent been lost in the fourth larval stage, has in the fifth stage disappeared to a still greater degree, so that it is with difficulty that the position of the above mentioned organs in the body cavity can be discerned; hence, in this and the later stages the color vari- ations are due to the cuticular and epithelial pigmentation alone, or to changes in the pigment of the exoskeleton. JI am informed by Mr. E. W. Barnes, whose observations upon the color variations in the ninth and eleventh stages have materially helped in producing data, that he came upon a lobster which, soon after moulting into . the tenth stage, manifested a remarkable transparency in all parts, so that the action of the heart and position of the gills could be plainly observed through the carapace, which was of a bluish color. Sixth Stage. The color of the sixth stage lobster resembles very closely that of the fifth stage. Indeed, by examining the colorations it is almost impossible to tell the two stages from one another by this method. 9 66 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. One fact, however, is noticeable: the light spottings in the sixth stage are usually more numerous and varied than in the fifth. In the sixth the telson markings often assume the form of bands or borders of white, evident also on both segments of the lateral appendages of the last segment. These bands were sometimes rust colored, but this variation was more often evident in the seventh stage.* In the fifth stage the white spottings were seldom seen on the pleura of more than the first abdominal segments; in the sixth stage they often were observable on the pleura of the first, second, and third somites. Bands or streaks of white were also often evident upon the posterior border of some segments of the chele. It was noted that during the latter part of the sixth stage there was some tendency to antici- pate the seventh stage, the color frequently changing to a dark drab. Seventh Stage. The color of the seventh stage lobster is usually so radically dif- ferent from that of any of the preceding stages that it can be recog- nized with little difficulty. With hardly an exception in the many individuals examined, the characteristic color was pure slate, be- coming gradually darker as the stage advances, having the modi- fications, blue-slate, green-slate, and cream-slate. The white spottings are full as frequent and quite as constant as in the sixth stage; the only difference being the tendency for the spots to become a cream color, or yellowish, rather than snow-white, which seemed more characteristic of the fifth and sixth stages. The following notes, taken from the records of ten successive cars containing individual seventh stage lobsters, show the constancy of this color character- istic: Spec. 1. Moulted Aug. 1. Color, slate; claw tips, light, but not white; body spots, light; border of telson, yellowish white. Spec. 2. Color, slate, somewhat bluish; body spots and others not prominent. *It is entirely possible that this rust color may have been due to foreign matter from the wire of the cages. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 67 Spec. 3. Color, greenish slate; claw tips, cream; body spots, white; telson of homogeneous color, slate. Aug. 26. Color changing to a more pronounced drab. Spec. 4. Color, dark slate, claw tips and body spots, white; white borders on outer segments of last abdominal appendages. Spec. 5. Color, slate; somewhat mottled; telson border, ends of claws and ends of maxillipeds, white or cream color. Spec. 6. Color, slate; claw tips, snow-white; body spots, light; telson border, cream color; anterior cephalic body spots light. Spec. 7. Color, creamy slate; claw tips, cream color; border of telson, rusty; body spots, light. Spec. 8. Color, slate; claw tips, white; telson border, cream color; white patch over region of heart. Spec. 9. Blue slate color; claw tips, rusty cream; body spots, light; telson one homogeneous color. Spec. 10. Color, slate; claw tips, cream color and body spots white; border of exopodite (last abdominal segment) and border of telson, cream color. The following observations upon forty-nine seventh stage lobsters give some notion of the general color characteristics of the stage. All the observations recorded in this table were made very soon after entrance to the stage. For convenience in comparing this general color plan of the seventh stage with that of the later stages, tables referring to the eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh stages are also here appended. Reference to them will be made on a later page: (The numbers represent percentages.) 68 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. COLOR. | 7th. 8th. 9th. | 10th. | *11th.| *12th. Pure slates a otieceineycrcn 77 18 TOE oer hretenegee Mba. alae silat Meapage Blue slate: oo iaioe ne 4 35 6 SH ce the heen Cream) slates. ci ones peer aae 25 1S) sed Map Mice ait bana) teal ene Green slate or green blue...| 12 4 ile} Too Noted ysl teaainaitens (S INO saree yosteia) ey secu ear tlie assole hile ay Syed iatone Nexo anys 37 15 PAE eraborora QOlivetgreenssscce tak woe bs me ose I ISDEGS. Icpe soe yac as 30 BO, Nac eee es Olive red-brown......... Frans SH ae Ninel RRS 15 BO \ ile Beene Mottled lobsters......... oe oe lspec.in 30 | 54 TOO, Gerace * The number examined was too small to give valuable results by percentages. The following tables show the color of many lobsters in the seventh, eighth, ninth tenth, and eleventh stages which were observed in almost every case within four to twelve hours after moulting. The terminology used to designate the colors is somewhat crude, but an effort will be made at a later date to exchange for these terms those of a standard color chart: 7th Stage. 8th Stage. 9th Stage. 10th Stage. Slate. Deep blue slate. Gray. Olive green, mot. Slate. Blue slate. Rusty slate. Light blue slate. Greenish slate. Dark slate. Blue. Olive and blue. Slate. Creamy slate. Blue. Olive green. Slate. Blue slate. Blue slate. Olive and red brown. Slate. Dirty slate. Blue. Olive green, mot. Slate. Slate. Blue. Green slate. Slate. Cream slate. Brown slate. Dark slate, mot. Green slate. Blue slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Red slate. Blue slate. Cream slate. Cream slate. Light brown. Brown slate. Cream slate. Green slate. Cream slate. Blue. Light blue. Cream slate. Blue. Blue slate, mot. Blue, mot. Light blue slate. Blue, mot. Green and _ Brown, faint mot. REPORT 7th Stage. Green slate. Blue slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Green slate. Slate. Green slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Slate. Brown slate. Brown and green. Green slate. OF COMMISSIONERS OF 8th Stage. Olive. Slate. Cream slate. Blue slate. Slate. Cream slate. Blue slate. Cream slate. Cream slate. Blue slate. Cream slate. Blue slate. Cream slate. Brown slate. Light brown. Slate. Green slate. Brick red. Blue slate. Green blue. Slate. Blue slate. Blue slate. Blue slate. Blue slate. Light blue slate. Slate. Dark slate. Blue slate. INLAND FISHERIES. 9th Stage. 10th Stage. Light blue. Cream slate. Slate. Very dark slate. Deep blue slate. Slate. Dark slate. Blue. Blue. Green slate. Light blue. Salmon. Metallic blue. Slate. Cream slate. 11th Stage. Olive green, mot. Olive green, mot. Blue, mot. 69 Olive and brown, mot. Olive and brown, mot. 70 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Exghth Stage. In color markings the eighth stage is very similar to the seventh; but one point can be noted where there lies a difference and this only when many specimens are examined, for’a single individual of the eighth stage can not, by its color, be told from the seventh. In the seventh stage the number of modifications of the characteristic color, slate, were comparatively few, the greater number of specimens examined remaining constant without merging into the blue-slate cream-slate, or red-slate. In the eighth stage the comparison of color statistics readily shows that the number of variations, or modifications of the slate color is very great and that there is a marked tendency to develop green-slate, brown-slate, and especially blue- slate and cream-slate. A description of ten individuals of the eighth stage, taken at random, shows the general characteristics of markings for individuals, while the foregoing table for the eighth stage gives an approximate notion of the general scheme of colorations for the stage as a whole. Spec. No. 1. Color, deep bluish slate; claw tips, rust color; also border of telson. Body spots not readily discernable. ; Spec. No. 2: Very dark slate color; claw tips, cream; body spots, white; telson border, rusty cream color. Spec. No. 3. Color, cream-slate bordering upon bluish; claw tips, eream color; with the very tips rusty; body spots very dis- tinct; border of exopodite (last abdominal segment), very light. Spec. No. 4. Color, bluish slate; claw tips, rusty cream color; margin of telson, rust color; no body spots evident. Spee. No. 5. Bluish slate showing a metallic luster; body spots, light, but not white; lighter over stomach region. Spec. No. 6. Light bluish slate color; tips of claws, cream; body spots, faint; telson, homogeneous coloration. Spec. No. 7. Color, cream-slate; claw tips, cream color; border of telson, rust color; body spots, light. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. rial Spec. No. 8. Color, cream; body spots, white; claw tips, cream; number of white spots on and posterior to cephalo-thoracie line. Spec. No. 9. Color, cream-slate; claw tips, white; border of telson and of exopodites, cream color; body spots not prominent; color changed very suddenly to salmon. Spec. No. 10. Eecentrie coloration in all details;. general color, light brown; outer claw tips of each chela, cream color, with band of same along whole margin of claw; left chela has outer claw very white, both on tip and outer margin. Both of the exopodites (of last abdominal somite), cream color; endopodites of same, light; body spots, snow white; whole lobster quite transparent. Ninth Stage. The difference in color between the ninth stage lobster and the stages which immediately precede and follow it can be determined only by viewing such general conditions as those which formed the basis of our observations on the color characteristics of the seventh and eighth stages, wherein the stage could never be determined by the color of the single individual, but which nevertheless held a characteristic that could be used readily enough as a rough criterion for the distinction of large numbers of lobsters whose exact stage was not known. So it is in the case of the ninth stage; when many lobsters of this stage are observed as to their color, the fact is evident that there is a tendency for the blue coloration which was beginning to be emphasized in the eighth stage to have still greater prominence here, with a corresponding diminution of the relative number of lobsters manifesting the pure slate so characteristic of the seventh stage, or the cream-slate and blue-slate more characteristic of the eighth stage. A glance at the table for the ninth stage will show these facts. In this stage the white spottings have begun to be- come less prominent and less frequent in occurrence. ~J bo REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Tenih Stage. The fact of the gradual exclusion from stage to stage of certain color combinations from the general system of coloration of a definite stage-period manifested heretofore in all the previous stages also holds true for the conditions found in the tenth stage lobster. Here, it will be readily noted by a glance at the table, the number of slate and cream colored lobsters has greatly diminished. Blue, blue- slate, and green-slate, however, remain fairly constant in occurrence, while there has also been a tendency toward the development of an olive-green and an olive-brown combination. In the tenth stage, moreover, the light spottings are seldom observed we see, as the foregoing table denotes, traces of the dark mottling so characteristic of the adult lobster, a phenomenon which, with a very occasional exception, makes its first appearance in this stage. Eleventh Stage. Very unfortunately it was not possible to carry on observations upon many of the eleventh stage before the oncoming winter weather and the consequent necessity of sinking the lobster cars to the bot- tom of the harbor cut short all investigations. The meagre facts which can be reported upon the coloration of this stage may be briefly obtained from a glance at the table. Pronounced mottling seems to become a constant feature in this stage, and the few in- dividuals examined show a greater resemblance to the color type of the adult lobster than does any previous stage. Indeed, it may be safely said that, in consideration of this fact, and that of the fre- quency of the olive and red-brown combination, the adult system of color is approximately reached in the eleventh stage of the lobster. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 73 SUMMARY. CHANGES OF FORM IN SUCCESSIVE STAGES. The life of the lobster consists of a series of stages (the first four are called the larval stages) each of which represents a stage-period, the time between any two successive moults. The lobster grows by moulting, never between moults. The changes which are undergone in the first four stages are the most distinct. After this period the changes in form are slight from one stage to another. First Stage. Owing to the much coiled position in which the young lobster lies in the egg, at the time of hatching this infolding of appendages and abdomen about the head is very apparent and endures for some little time; gradually, however, the parts extend and the appendages become functional. The characterisitic points of the first stage lobster may be briefly summarized as follows: 1. Dorsal surface of cephalo-thorax in lateral aspect forms a decided are. 2. Eyes very large and prominent. 3. First pair of antenne consist only of exopodites. 4. Second antenne consist of exopodite and endopodite, the former very short and tubular, the latter broad and leaf-like. 5. The thoracic appendages have feathered swimming attach- ments (exopodites). 6. The body-origin of the thoracic limbs is posterior to position in adult type. 7. There are no appendages on the ventral portion of the abdomen. 8. The tail, after unfolding, consists of a simple “tail-fan.”’ 9.) The average length of the first stage is 8 mm. 10 74 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Second Stage. The external changes which mark the entrance to the second stage concern chiefly the changes which take place in the antenne and in the abdominal segments: 1. Dorsal surface of cephalo-thorax not as convex as in first stage. 2. Eyes somewhat less large and prominent. 3. The inner branches (endopodites) are developing from the exopodites of the first pair of antenne. 4. The endopodites of second antennz increased slightly in length. 5. The thoracic appendages have shifted in respect to their body origin to a more anterior position. 6. The legs, chelipeds, and maxillepeds are still fitted with swim- ming exopodites. 7. From the under side of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th abdominal segments have developed swimmerets. 8. Tail-fan of same appearance. 9. Average length of second stage is 94 mm. Third Stage. The change manifested in the shifting from the second to the third stage also concerns chiefly the antenne and the abdominal segments: 1. Dorsal surface of cephalo-thorax but slightly curved. to Eyes relatively smaller for size of body. 3. The inner branches of the first pair of antennee about equal in length the outer branches. 4. The exopodites of second antenne have increased slightly in length. 5. The thoracic appendages have undergone a further forward shifting. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 75 6. The exopodites of the thoracic appendages are still functional. ol 7. The swimmerets of the abdomen have each developed a delicate fringe of sete. 8. The last segment of the abdomen has given out on each side an appendage consisting of an exopodite and an endopodite, these fringed with sete. The appearance of the “tail’’ has been greatly modified since the previous stage. 9. The average length of the third stage is 11 mm. Fourth Stage. The changes which occur between the third and fourth stage are the most distinct of any which take place in the life history of the lobster, and are as follows: 1. The body undergoes a straightening and elongation. 2. In the first antennez the two branches of each appear equal in length, definitely segmented and bordered with sete. 3. The second antenne (the endopodites) emerge as long, seg- mented, whip-like structures which now, because of the prominence of the basal joints, can be folded back along the side of the body. 4. The thoracic appendages have again shifted forward, this time to adult position. Moreover, they have lost, with the exception of the maxillepeds, the swimming branches (exopodites). Rudi- ments of these are evident, however, as small functionless stumps with no sign of sete on the ischium or third joint of the chelz and ambulatory appendages. 5. The appendages on the under side of the abdomen have become larger and stronger and fringed with a heavy border of sete. They become highly functional in this stage. 6. The exopodites and endopodites arising from the last ab- dominal segment and forming with the telson the “tail-fan’’ have developed in size and now are equal in length to the telson itself. They too are fringed with a heavy border of long sete. 76 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 7. The average length of the fourth stage lobster is about 13 mm.; it is now almost the epitome of the adult lobster. In the succeeding stages of the young lobster many of the changes which take place may be noted, not so much with reference to any definite stage as with regards to the continued development as a whole. Of these we may note the following: 1. The eyes become less and less prominent as the stages advance. 2. A broadening and thickening in the body occurs. me a. Inthe male this takes place in the cephalo-thorax. b. In the female, the broadening is in the abdomen. 3. There is a thickening and strengthening of all the body ap- pendages with a gradual variance in the appearance of the right and left chele. Fijth Stage. The fifth stage lobster is too immature to at once manifest many of these changes; the chief characteristic of this stage being the promi- nence of the basal joints of the first antenne, as in contrast to this position under the rostrum border in the fourth stage. (Plate XI.) The average length of the fifth stage lobster is 15-16 mm. Stath Stage. The point of distinction of the sixth stage is the beginning of a dif- ferentiation in the shape of the chele, the right manifesting a tendency to develop into the ‘‘nipping” claw, the left into the “crusher.” This change sometimes is not evident until the seventh stage. The external reproductive organs often make their appearance in this stage. They first appear on the under side of the first abdominal segment. This phenomenon may, in some cases, be delayed until the seventh stage. The sex, however, can often be made out in the sixth stage by the position of the openings of the sperm ducts or REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. (hz oviducts, which appear on the basal segment of the first and third thoracic limbs, respectively. Seventh to Twelfth Stages. The changes in form which occur between these stages probably depend very much upon the vitality and general condition of en- vironment of the young lobster. Thus the impossibility to attribute to any one of these later stages definite characteristics inform. The most that can be stated is that some features of development appear to be manifested at about a certain stage. Thus the external repro- ductive organs, if they do not appear in the sixth stage, do appear in the seventh. In this and the following stages the difference in the large claws becomes more and more evident. It may be said that the lobster assumes the adult structural type (with reference to ex- ternal morphology) in the ninth stage of its existence. PIGMENTATION AND COLOR CHANGES. In the life history of the American lobster there occur very marked changes in color and coloration. These changes may be grouped under three heads, as follows: 1. The sudden transitory changes in color (from blue to red, and red to blue) which take place in the first three larval stages. 2. The more gradual changes in color which a young lobster, be- yond the fourth stage, may experience between any two successive moults; 7. e., during one stage-period. These changes are character- ized by a general darkening in color as the stage-period advances and the time of moulting draws near. 3. The very gradual, progressive change in color and coloration which takes place in the development of the lobster after the third stage, and especially between the third and the twelfth stages. This change is characterized by the slow assumption of mottled olive green and brown as the young lobster approximates to the adult color type. 78 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. The color of any lobster is due to three primary pigments, all of which are probably lipochromes: 1. A red pigment found in the stellate color cells or chromato- phores which are very abundant of the lobster. 2. ...d:cseon 164mm. Sept. 3...| 7 |R. cheliped..|Removed. .|Sept. 19 14 mm.| 73,8, Liv IG @Onaliiceolalla os aaa aoe 19 mm. | : Sept. 19..| 8 |R. cheliped. .|Removed. .|Oct. 25 174mm. | 7474 L. cheliped..|......... 05. 234mm. J REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 105 TaBLe [V.—Ccntinued. Pay | | Per cent & Date. | ; | Appendage. | Mutilation. Moult. | Length. gain of g a0 regen 3 a Z Q V.|Aug. 23...| 6 |R. cheliped../Removed../Sept.6...... | 154mm./90 | L. cheliped..|.......... 17mm. | ane Sept. 6...! 7 |R. cheliped. .;Removed../Sept. 28 (?)..! 17 mm. | L..chelipeds:|.0.4 4.85 | 23 mm./73,3 | VI. |Aug. 17...| 6 |R. cheliped..|Removed../Aug. 27...... | 0 mm.| 0 ) Lcheliped.:|.:.naee os | 134mm. Aug. 29...) 7 |R. cheliped..|Removed. .|Sept. 8 (?)...| 13 mm.|83,8; ( ,, ; ete VI. i. ‘cheliped. :|:,.-pkeseyae | 153mm. | { Sept. 10..| 8 |R. cheliped..|Removed..|Oct. 2 (?)... | 15 mm.)75 | i.cheliped.2|.2-c2ee ee | 20 mm. J It will be seen that at each removal the right cheliped usually showed a diminishing per cent. of gain when compared with the correspond- ing normal appendage; in other words, in each successive regener- ation there was a larger per cent. of difference between the regener- ated and normal limb. Interesting results might, perhaps, be ob- tained by a continuation of such an experiment through a much longer period of time; but it would be hasty to conclude that the above data proved a decrease in the regenerative power, because, as will be noticed, each successively regenerated cheliped does show a per cent. of gain when compared among themselves; as, for ex- ample, in lobster No. 4 the measurements for the right cheliped at the successive moults are 13, 14, and 174mm., thus showing a continuous increase (although the same is not true in lobster No. 1). So the present data are insufficient for a positive answer to the original 14 106 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. question whether the regenerative power could be decreased by con- tinuous mutilation, and the above results are given rather as a matter of incidental interest than as indicating a definite conclusion. V. REGENERATION AND THE PROCESS OF MOULTING. The moulting process of the lobster is in itself a most fascinating phenomenon. At certain more or less regular periods the lobster removes not only the chitinous shell of his body, but also the entire covering of all the appendages, eyes, and even the stomach, as a boy might remove his old clothes for a brand new suit. In considering this important as well as critical period in the lobster’s life, the question is suggested —what relations are there between the regenera- tion of the thoracic appendages and the process of moulting. If, under such circumstances, a limb did begin to regenerate and had only be- come a small bud at the time of moulting, what would be its con- dition after the moult? Would it continue after the moult merely as a growing bud, or would it be a functional appendage, 7. e., have all the activities of a fully developed limb? In the data collected on the relation of regeneration and the moult- ing process the following interesting fact was obtained: In all the observations made, not only upon the lobsters used in the experi- ments, but also upon the lobsters at the hatchery, there was not one instance in which a lobster came out of the moult with an appendage which was in a non-junctional condition. In other words, in every case a regenerating appendage which continued through a moult had all the motions and uses of a perfect limb, 7. e., “it moulted functional.” The conclusion is, therefore, that a regenerating limb which passes through an ecdysis always moults as a functional ap- pendage. If this conclusion is correct, then two alternatives seem to pre- sent themselves. Either a regenerating structure which has not developed far enough to moult “functional” will be dropped during the moult; or else the limb will only begin to regenerate when the REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 107 interval between the time of injury and the date of the next moult is long enough to permit a degree of development such that the limb can moult with “functional” characteristics. With regard to the first phase of the question it can be stated that no conclusive evidence was obtained that partially developed re- generating buds were dropped during a moult. In regard to the second alternative, that a limb will not begin to regenerate unless the interval between the time of injury and the date of moulting is suf- ficient to permit the development of a functional appendage, two questions arise. First, is there a definite time limit within which a limb will not begin to regenerate before a moult? Second, if a limb has begun to regenerate within a comparatively short time before the succeeding moult, will the rapidity of the regenerating process be © materially hastened or the moulting date delayed so as to favor the restoration of the appendage? Of these two questions we will consider first whether there is a definite time limit within which a limb will not begin to regenerate be- jore a moult. . In a general way it may be said that there appears to be such a limit ; for in a large number of instances it was found that an append- age would not regenerate if it had been removed shortly before a moult. Most of the data which furnished any definite evidence in regard to the comparative length of this limit was obtained from young lobsters. The following table shows the minimum number of days in which regeneration did begin, and the maximum number of days in which restoration did not begin, as noted in sixth and seventh stage lobsters: 108 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Number. @ \AUg 23 se~ 12 11 14 16 18 Date. Aug. Aug. Aug. 25... Aug. 23... Aug. Aug. Aug. 24... 24... 25... PROG TABLE V. Time be- ¢ | Appendage. | Mutilation. Moult. Condition. eee ana s moult. 6 |R. cheliped.. Removed..|Sept. 3 Regine. | 10 days. chehiped:s |. 6: ees Normal. | 6 |R. cheliped.. Removed. . Sept. 6..... Reéanan es 13 days. Lsieheliped. 3} 23%. estas Normal 6 |R. cheliped... Removed. .|Sept. 6 Reece e 13 days. cheliped see seer Normal. | 6 |R. cheliped.., Removed.. Sept. 9 Reem ritecr: 14 days. usecheliped= i) .1. alcote 2a. Normal 6 |R. cheliped..|Removed.. Sept. 6..... Reei.h ak 14 days. Ls; cheliped..||.220.. 22/3 Normal. 6 |R. cheliped..; Removed. .| Aug. 27 .|Normal.. . 2 days. bschelipeds iy... 6. 33 no. reg.. 7 |R. cheliped..|Removed ‘Aug. 30502 no. reg... 4 days. Tacheliped es aici a 2s. Normal. 7 |R. cheliped../Removed..) Aug. 30.....|No. reg... 4 days. i cheltped:a |e yin Normal. As far as these results go it appears that the maximum regener- ating limit obtained was ten days and that the maximum non-re- generating internal was four days; or, in other words, the chelipeds of the sixth stage lobster will regenerate if removed ten days before the following moult, and that the same limbs will not regenerate if removed (two days in the case of the sixth stage or four days in the No data has yet been secured to show whether a limb would or would not be restored if removed between four and ten days preceding a moult? In the more mature lobsters the shortest period noted in which a thoracic case of the seventh stage) before the next moult. appendage began to regenerate was sixteen days. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 109 These results, then, indicate that there is a certain period preceding an ecdysis in which if a thoracic appendage is removed, the limb will not begin to regenerate before the following moult. Whether this limit approaches any regular per cent. of the whole interval between two moults, it would require a larger number of comparative obser- vations to determine. The second question to be considered is whether there ts any adap- tation of the regenerative or moulting processes favorable to the early restoration of a lost appendage. In the attempt to ascertain whether the moulting process is de- layed, or, what is the same thing, whether the interval between moults is lengthened by the presence of regenerating structures, it is necessary to know first the average length of the moulting period of a normal lobster at a given stage. If this were known, then the question might be answered by observing whether that period is lengthened in a lobster with structures regenerating. During the present summer Prof. A. D. Mead has collected data and made observations upon the moulting periods of young lobsters in which the stages are known. A tabulated form of Prof. Mead’s results may be found in this report, page 40. This table shows that the average duration of the fifth stage for the normal lobsters was 94 days; and of the sixth stage 12.7 days. For these two periods, then, we have now a basis for comparison with the results obtained from experiments on mutilated lobsters. The following table gives the moulting periods of fourteen fourth, fifth, and sixth stage lobsters, in which one or more appendages were in the process of regeneration: 110 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. TABLE VI. Group I. 47H STAGE. 5TH STAGE. 6TH STAGE. 7TH STAGE. No. Date of Stage Date of Stage Date of Stage Date of Stage Moult. Period. Moult. Period. Moult. Period. || Moult. Period. Tell ae ee Bl gad: 2/0 Ades) Ok eye dase Acces) oe) ae me Dy lected euces, eA adl Oy apie arash te ‘July Qe (Lo das. Arup Oi. sf las cla se.) Acape 823 s\n teenies © | epee oy ieee “July 27.) laser eal Aan, Sion atta ude, ll Aes aa PAP | erties Steen bitten f te July 24....|16 da...||Aug. 9....|18 da...||Aug. 27 54 awe ier ae Sean July 27....113 da...|/Aug. 9....|15 da...||Aug. 24. || sie sepa at eA a July 26..../14 da...|/Aug. 9....28 da...|/Sept. 6.. TAH I hate epee eae scl te reheaiee A ll uly 26....|13 da... ||Auge 9%. ..|28 da... |iSept- (6 Swe eoewatas acca let oceans, oases July Deseel\ea daecns Aug. Wise nilfilts) bios oIUNiIES 2/a)lntsebocosoc Qa ae tache on Raed p capt Suby 27s, ilsndat. al Auge Os. 4129" dar.||Semted: ONG | |e teceer cece uccsest| Serer ota: July +27... 13) da... !Aug. 7277013) dao. | Auge 20)5)) 262 eselea- Aeneas Sn) Gan. Average 19 aan Group IT. : ae 11 | suby DD rer Dy Cantey) SUL Por, allan) LB Arata PATE re Velen clltann scp roere a ic cece eke «ok 10,000 00 Sites fora tcherl copeeeeaney teres earn nro 15,000 00 Stenographer* 2ivestssne eee ee oes os cc 1,200 00 $59,600 00 08 eae Bie chook ict’ o BNW c.g ld rekon Se ee $7,500 00 UTAH. 1BSCs cele MEEPS 6 s.Aic AUS O'S Bo Slap do op 6 6's. ae eee $9 480 0O VERMONT. Hisheries and: gander ree crete tee es cy2 70 spe sl se Oke $5,000 00 Fines and licenses in addition. VIRGINIA. SALATIESs5.5 sens ell rer TS ONS cn $4,000 00 Protection: of fishvandioysters.. sss -ei nies 2 4 os 20,000 00 $24,000 00 WASHINGTON. Salary and expenses of Commission and for maintenance of hatcheries and oyster culture for 2 years................ $146,465 00 WISCONSIN. For fish: culture, annuslbappropniations.....:.....00csvesee $30,000 00 WYOMING. Ror maintaming fish hateherieses.< secs 5 os +2’ «s«s 0 ccansce $15,200 00 17 7 | 4 i) 7 r a Ort ere Te Wh yg ee, re CUE AOAC) Aik! San earn Ma hic (tree : : f é ; r + bh , ’ iy NG wor" : iy, de ~ ant a) f Wty Mis ‘ ‘ ; ; as a i ager) Pe { An i Te VM 2 wh, hi ssf ee emen al as j nate > Ore | { p Py an ri Ww ‘cary. 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