METHODS OF CAPTURE SEAL-NETS. 525 



seals. Generally," continues Mr. Lloyd, " its innermost end 

 is secured by means of a stout rope to a heavy stone, or to sea- 

 weed, on the 'Skiil-Steu' itself, whilst its outermost end has no 

 other fastening- than a small stone of just sufficient weight to 

 keep it in its place, that is, sunk in the deep water beyond. At 

 other times the reverse is the case. The inner end of the net is 

 attached to the < Skal-Sten' by a mere thread, whilst its outer 

 extremity is secured to the bottom by a heavy stone. In either 

 case the inner or outer end of the net is left in a measure free, 

 so that when the seal strikes it, the meshes on all sides may 

 more readily collapse about the animal, and the more violently it 

 struggles the more inextricably will it be fixed in the toils. 



"The ' Stand-Nat' is usually set in the evening, and taken up 

 again at a pretty early hour on the following day. If placed 

 near a 'Skal-Steu' it should be to leeward, because the seal 

 usually mounts the stone on the weather side at night, and in 

 the morning takes to the water in the opposite direction. The 

 chances, therefore, are that in making its plunge into the sea, 

 more especially if its movements be quickened by a blank shot, 

 which is often fired for the purpose, it will be made captive. 



" It occasionally happens that the seal is taken in the net of 

 an evening when about to mount the ' Skal-Sten,' as prior to 

 so doing it is in the frequent habit of making several circuits 

 round the stone for the purpose of ascertaining if all be safe, 

 and should it not observe the net, it runs its head into one or 

 other of the meshes. 



" The ' Stand-Nat,' it should be observed, ought not to be set 

 unless the weather be fine, for if the wind and waves beat on 

 the rock, seals will not take up their night quarters there. To 

 lure these animals into the net, various expedients are resorted 

 to. Bright lights, as is known, greatly excite their curiosity. 

 A fire is therefore made on the shore, or on a rock, in rear of 

 the ' Skal-Sten,' which has the effect of attracting them to the 

 spot ; and as a further inducement, their olfactory nerves are 

 tickled by the fumes of bones and other strong-scented sub- 

 stances, which are cast into the flames. At other times Kutar, 

 or seal-cubs, are tied to a line within the net, the cries of which 

 often attract old ones. . . . 



"The ' Stand-Nat ' would appear to be a very destructive 

 engine. We read of as many as fourteen seals having been 

 taken at a single 'haul.' It is chiefly the young ones, however, 

 that are made prisoners. The old ones, let the night be dark as 



