22

H.—3

boxes ex steamship "Tongariro." We have already advised the Marine Department of the receipt and progress of hatching of the first allotment, by letter dated the 21st March. The young fry of this lot we now estimate from four to five thousand. They are in our races, and look very healthy. The second shipment, ex " Tongariro," were sent to us by Lieutenant Smith, and consisted of one box containing about nine thousand ova in better condition than the previous shipment. Of these, between three and four thousand have hatched out. They are now in the hatchhouse, and have not yet absorbed their umbilical bags. They look healthy. There are, however, a large proportion of deformed fish. This we attribute to the rapidity with which they hatched out after being placed in our hatchhouse. The temperature of the water did not at any time exceed 58° Fahr.; but there is a sudden transition from the cool chambers of the ship to the water in the hatchhouse. To meet this, for some days we kept ice in the filter-boxes. We estimate the number of deformed fish'at from 10 to 12 per cent, of those hatched out. If this be the cause of the deformity, it would arise from the more rapid development of certain tissues at the expense of others, in consequence of the sudden change from great cold to a warm situation; or, on the other hand, the cause of deformity may be at the other side, and then be caused by arrest of development of certain tissues in the ovum by a sudden change from warmth to great cold. If the ova of the second shipment were of the same age, impregnated at the same date as the ova of the first shipment, this latter would probably be the correct reason of there being a larger proportion of deformed fish in the second than in the first shipment. We may add that we have accommodation for more than twice the quantity of ova allotted to us, and if necessary could increase that accommodation, I have, &c, Jas. Field Cbawfobd, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Honorary Secretary.

No. 37. Dr. Hectob to Hon. Sir Julius Vogel. Colonial Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, 29th July, 1886. Memorandum re Introduction of Lobster. I think it important to draw your attention to some recent experiments, by Captain H. C. Chester, at the United States Fish Commission station, Woodshall, Massachusetts, as described in Science, 11th June, 1836, demonstrating that it is possible to hatch the ova of the lobster in unlimited quantities, and that adult lobsters can be kept alive for an almost indefinite period in a moist, cold atmosphere, especially if packed between layers of wet seaweed and placed in an icehouse. Males and females in pea, or with eggs attached, can be, I believe, easily conveyed This important discovery is to be utilized for the propagation of lobsters on the Pacific coast of America, where there are none at present. The first experiments with the European lobster were made by Mr. G. M. Dannevig, Flodevig, Arendal, Norway ; and it might be useful to ask the AgentGeneral to communicate with that gentleman as well as with the United States Fish Commission, as it is possible that the difficulties which he mentions as attending the transport of lobsters in his letter of the 18th November, 1885 (see Parliamentary Paper H.-7, 1886, p. 4), have been now overcome. Of course, it would still be necessary, as I pointed out last year, to afford sufficient time before the shipment of lobsters (and also edible crabs) for making proper arrangements for receiving and hatching them at this end. The best place for a station, in my opinion, would undoubtedly be Stewart Island. I would also suggest that a shipment of the large crabs from the south coast of Tasmania might easily be obtained, as the direct steamers, with freezing-chambers, call there, and the time occupied in transmission will be so short that there will be little risk of failure. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G. James Hectob.

No. 38. The Seceetaey, Marine Department, to Dr. Hectob. (Memorandum.) 7th October, 1886. With reference to your memorandum of the 29th July last, addressed to the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, I have been directed by the Minister having charge of this department to thank you for drawing attention to recent experiments by Captain H. C. Chester, of the United States Fish Commission, as described in Science, 11th June, 1886, demonstrating that it is possible to hatch the ova of the lobster in unlimited quantities, and that adult lobsters can be kept alive for an almost indefinite period in a moist, cold atmosphere ; and I am to state that by the outgoing San Francisco mail the United States Fish Commissioner and the Deputy Minister of Marine and Fisheries of Canada will be asked to supply further particulars hereon, with the view, if possible, of introducing the lobster into New Zealand. Dr. Hector, the Museum, Wellington. William Seed.

No. 39. The Hon. the Ministeb of Mabine to the United States Commissionee of Fish and Fisheeies. g IE Marine Department, Wellington, 7th October, 1886. The attention of this department having been drawn to some recent experiments made by Captain H. C. Chester at the United States Fish Commission station, Woodshall, Massachusetts,