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FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



large meshes. These outer nets are so "hung" or mountel 

 that the meshes of both, exactly correspond in position; and 

 a fish might pass through them as if they were a single 

 net. The third net, however, is placed between the other 

 two, and has its meshes quite small ; but it is much longer 

 than the outer nets, and usually about twice as deep ; conse- 

 quently, there is a large quantity of slack netting between 

 the two cuter nets. 



Fig. 87. 



When in use, the "Trammel" is set along the bottom; 

 being particularly effective on, or in the vicinity of, rocky 

 headlands or sunken reefs. It is anchored and buoyed at 

 each end, the upper edge, or "back," being well corked, 

 while the bottom, or "foot," is well weighted with lead to 

 keep the whole length of the net close down on to the 

 bottom, so that nothing might pass under. As the outer 

 nets stand with their meshes fully open and exactly opposite 

 each other, and the small-meshed net hangs loosely between 

 them, any fish trying to pass through the first one, meets 

 the second (small-meshed) one and carries a portion of it 

 through the third ; thus forming a kind of bag or "pocket." 

 As there is a large-meshed net on either side, the net is 

 equally effective on whichever side the fish approaches it. 



The name of "Trammel" is said to be derived from the 

 French tremail or tram ail ; these being a corruption of trais 

 mailles, signifying "three meshes." 



