BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 295 



London, informing him at the same time that you would send to him a 

 more detailed account, with diagram, &c. 



"The two cases from Gloucester arrived here yesterday, and were this 

 morning shipped on board of our Sydney vessel. * * * We were 

 much pleased to hear that your health is improving, and again thank 

 you for your attention to the interests of the New South Wales Govern- 

 ment." 



On the 5th of November I wrote to the Sir Saul Samuel, agent- 

 general for New South Wales, in London, sending him at the same time 

 a rough diagram and some published illustrations of a seine-boat, in 

 order that the use (as well as the position they should occupy) of the 

 seine-boat fittings might be more easily understood. The following is 

 the language used November 5, 1881: 



"I have the honor to inform you that the purse-seine and set-line you 

 desired to purchase of me, in your letter of August 22, have been com- 

 pleted and forwarded to R. W. Cameron & Co., New York, according 

 to your instructions. 



11 Being fully aware of the possible advantage to be derived by the 

 people of New South Wales from the introduction of these improved 

 forms of fishing apparatus, I have felt that it was very important that 

 each article should be constructed in accordance with the most recent 

 and approved methods. Nothing that experience could suggest has 

 been omitted to insure the completeness of the apparatus. 



" Much care has also been taken in packing the goods in water-proof 

 coverings to insure, so far as possible, their safety during transporta- 

 tion. 



"As brief descriptions of the seine and line may be of interest, I will 

 give them here, together with some suggestions as to the use, care, &c, 

 of the apparatus, which I hope may be of servjce. 



"The purse-seine which has been sent to Sydney, New South Wales, 

 a rough diagram of which is inclosed, is of the same size as those most 

 generally used in the menhaden fisheries, namely, 185 fathoms long 

 and about 8^ — 600 meshes — deep when hung. The size of the mesh is 

 2f inches in the wings, and 2J inches for the remainder of the net. The 

 plan, though incorrect so far as the relative proportions of the net are 

 concerned, will serve to give an idea of the several sections and their 

 position. The dimensions of the divisions, each of which is made of 

 different-sized twine, the two wings having the smallest, the bunt the 

 largest, while intermediate sizes are used for other sections, and has a 

 technical name, are more clearly shown by the following figures: Wings, 

 each 3,150 meshes long, 000 meshes deep; bunt, 500 meshes long, 300 

 meshes deep; top of bunt, 300 meshes long, 30 meshes deep; sides, each 

 100 meshes long, 300 meshes deep; under, 700 meshes long, 300 meshes 

 deep. 



"The loops, and line passing across their ends, represent the bridles 



