GULF OF MEXICO: WESTERN FLORIDA. 543 



build than those of the average size. They are of two sizes, the larger ones used by the men while 

 handling the seines, and the smaller ones serving as tenders to the former. The seine-boats arc 

 20 feet long and 7 or 8 feet wide. They are built as flat as possible on the bottom, but retain the 

 form of a round-bottom boat. The bow in these boats is very sharp; the stern wide and overhang- 

 ing on the quarter. The wood of which they are made is strong, but light. Their carrying capacity 

 is very great, and they are well adapted for their work. The smaller boats are about 1C feet long. 



HUNTER'S POINT CAST-NETS. Of the two kinds of cast-nets the "bag" and the "bail'' so 

 generally used on the west and southwest coasts of Florida, the "bail'' net is in more general use 

 at Hunter's Point and at all other fisheries mentioned in this section. This net is circular in shape, 

 with a diameter of 12 or 14 feet. Leads are strung at equal distances around its edge, and in the 

 center is a horn ring, through which a cord may play. From the end of this cord (which is the 

 hand-line), and inside of the net, radiate ten or twelve smaller cords or bails, which are all fastened 

 to the lead line at regular distances. This style of net is always free from tangles. When it is to 

 be thrown, it is lifted by the center, the leads thereby coming together and giving the net a cylin- 

 drical appearance. The hand-line and a portion of the net is gathered in the left hand, the lead- 

 line being held in the teeth and the majority of the leads in the right hand. In launching, both 

 hands are swung from the left side to the right; at the same time a quick turn is given to the bucly 

 in the same direction. If the net is well thrown it will strike the water flat at a distance of 12 or 

 15 feet from the "caster." As soon as the leads reach the bottom the net is hauled in by jerks on 

 the hand-Hue, this having been retained in the hand of the fisherman. There is no trouble in haul- 

 ing up this kind of cast-net, as there is in the case of the bag-net, which will be described in speak- 

 ing of the fisheries where that type is in favorite use. In the case of the "bail" net, the net has 

 only to be raised by the horn ring when the leads have sunk, and with it is raised whatever may 

 be caught. The cast net is used only in shoal water. Its value ranges from $5 to $15, dependent 

 upon size of mesh, material used, &c. The average size of mesh is 1 inch, and cotton twine of nine 

 threads is preferred. 



BUILDINGS, ETC., AT HUNTER'S POINT FISHERY. The Hunter's Point fishery, one of the most 

 important on the coast, is prosecuted with a special view to supplying the Cuban markets. The 

 arrangements are very complete. The building where the fish are cured and stowed is about 30 

 feet long by 12 feet wide, and is built out from the shore on piling. There are two other rooms: 

 One, built of boards, is used as a kitchen and dining-room and dwelling for the captain's family; 

 the other, a palmetto-thatched shanty, is used by the men as a sleeping apartment. Among 

 the apparatus owned here are seine-reels, frames on which to dry mullet-roe, and machinery for 

 hauling up the boats from the water. 



The buildings at all the fishing places on this coast resemble each other, with the exception 

 that at different places their relative positions and sizes may be changed. 



Flocks of turkey-buzzards hover about these buildings and feast on the decomposed fish-refuse 

 when carried out into the woods or back of the ranch. 



MULLET. The fishermen at Hunter's Point were found to be obliging and ready to give all 

 the information they possessed. Their knowledge of the habits of the mullet appeared somewhat 

 limited, only three or four months being passed by the men at the fishery. Their captain was then 

 absent in Key West. 



The present abundance of mullet is considered equal to that in former years, the 1879 catch 

 being considered larger than for four or five years past. When leaping from the water in great 

 numbers, they make a noise like the sound of thunder; this continues day and night. 



LAY. At this fishery, as at all otheis engaged in supplying the Cuban markets, the "lay" 



