50 ABOUT LOBSTERS 



The Leakey pot is reported to be patent pending in the 

 United States. 



The Cornish pot. Cornish pots ( Figure 9 ) are sim- 

 ilar in shape to the old-fashioned straw beehive. They 

 are built of wicker work, usually from hazel or willow. 

 The flat base is circular of close basket work, of di- 

 ameter 2'3". The sides are formed from wands which 

 are brought upwards and then inwards, and finally 

 bound downwards centrally to form an eye at the top of 

 the pot; the height of the pot is 1'8" and the depth of 

 the eye 7", its diameter 8". Wands forming the sides of 

 the pot are at a separation of \y 2 " and bound together 

 by a spiral of willow twigs, which generally circle the 

 pot twice in passing from the base to the eye. The eye 

 itself is closely bound by twigs to form a funnel lead- 

 ing into the top of the pot. 



Bait is secured in the pot by means of skewers, 

 made of wood and 15" in length. The bait is fixed to 

 the skewer which is then passed through the mouth of 

 the pot and the point of the skewer is inserted in the 

 close basket work of the funnel, so that the point of the 

 skewer projects downwards and inwards to the centre 

 of the funnel. Generally three such baited skewers are 

 used. The points of the three skewers converge to the 

 centre point of the funnel; sometimes four or even five 

 skewers may be used. Fishermen hold that, providing 

 the closed fist can be thrust into the space between the 

 skewers, ample room is left for the lobster to enter the 

 pot. The skewers not only secure the bait but prevent 

 lobsters escaping from the pot, particularly during 

 hauling. 



The following advantages are claimed for the 



Cornish Pot: 



1. They are inexpensive. Hazel or willow 

 wands can usually be collected locally, free. 



2. The pots are durable; they withstand sea 

 water and can be walked on when piled in a boat. 



