10 CRAB, SHRIMP,. AND LOBSTER LORE. 



easy of accomijlislimeut. The eel-basket, the salmon- 

 trip, and many other fish traps are made in much the 

 same manner, with some modifications as to material 

 and size. Pieces of fish and fish offal are usually used 

 as bait for these contrivances. This is secured within 

 the basket, which, with a heavy stone as a sinker, 

 and a long line with a float attached to it, is 

 lowered down from the boat amongst sunken rocks 

 and in the deep gulfs between reefs, where ledge, 

 crevice, and secret cranny are known to afford hiding- 

 places to the sought -for prey ; and here the traps are 

 allowed to rest, sometimes for the night, at others a 

 shorter period, just as convenience or the probability 

 of a take may suggest, when, the float being found and 

 the line hauled in, the pot with its contents are soon 

 safely on board the boat. Where many persons engage 

 in the same occupation, it is necessary, in order to 

 avoid mistakes as to the identity of the traps, to have 

 certain distinguishing marks by which they may be 

 known. Each fisherman, therefore, has his own pattern 

 for the float — one using a single piece of circular form, 

 another, a single square, whilst a third either piles 

 several pieces in conical form, or cuts a peculiarly- 

 formed cross. A plan we strongly recommend to those 

 who wish to amuse themselves by catching Crabs for 

 their own use, is to use a large flat bung, made of 

 stout cork, nail a piece of strong tough wood, such as 



