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land at which they may be used. This bond of the dug-out 

 must be broken before progress can be resumed. 



35. The present condition of drift-net fishing on the 

 Malabar coast may be summarized by stating that of drift nets 

 properly so-called (Ozhuku vala being the generic Malayalam 

 term), there are six varieties in ordinary employment, namely, 

 tirandi vala, valia sravu vala, elam sravu vala, nariyam vala, 

 oclu vala and kandadi vala. The respective dimensions and 

 uses may be tabulated as follows : — 



Classification of Malabar drift nets (Ozhuku vala). 



* The size of mesh is measured from end to end with the mesh stretched length- 

 wise : the size giv6n is equal to twice the length of one side from knot to knot. 



36. These nets are made in short lengths or pieces as in 

 England, a number of pieces being mounted end to end when 

 preparing the nets for use. The length, breadth (depth), and 

 number of these pieces are extremely short when compared 

 with what is customary in Europe ; though the dimensions are 

 somewhat variable according to the particular ideas of each 

 fisherman or community, the length and breadth of Malabar 

 " pieces " are usually not more than 7^ fathoms by 2| 

 fathoms stretched measure, or about 5 fathoms by 10 to 12 

 feet when measured spread on the ground. The kandadi vala 

 is said to be made sometimes double the length of any of the 

 other nets, but the one I measured at Beypore was the usual 7 j 

 fathoms by 2^ fathoms stretched measure, with a mesh of 3^ 

 inches and floats of light wood (sticks) attached three feet apart. 



37. The usual number of pieces constituting a " fleet of 

 nets " is from 8 to 10, usually 8. All are made of fibre (hemp) 

 and are barked. The head rope is thin and made of coir. 



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