THE TEEMING LIFE OF THE WATERS 



besides fitting myself out with rods, lines, gaffs and 

 strong landing nets, I take with me several curious- 

 looking pieces of gear, a little drag, for instance, to 

 scrape the bottom and gather up the animals which live 

 there, and a silk bag-net in which to collect those which 

 float. 



This bag-net is the most distinctive part of my 

 naturalist's equipment. It is commonly known as a 

 " plankton net " from the term commonly employed 

 in all languages to denote all those creatures which 

 live suspended in the water and are borne along by it. 

 It is a sort of long narrow bag, made of strong silk, 

 fine enough to let the water filter through its meshes 

 yet imprisoning even the tiniest of tiny creatures. The 

 open front part of this bag is attached to a rigid frame 

 which keeps it open and it gradually narrows down to 

 an orifice into which a glass bowl fits exactly. After 

 being completely submerged in the upper levels of the 

 water, it is made fast to the stern of the boat, and slowly 

 drawn along by keeping the boat slowly and regularly 

 moving. If we lean over the side, we may see it 

 swell and distend under the pressure of the water 

 which forces its way into it, and the tiny creatures 

 which float in that water are collected in the bowl at 

 its bottom. When our day's fishing is done we find 

 them there. 



I have many pleasant memories of such open water, 

 trawling, and in them I re-live many a delightful hour. 

 It is hard to recall any experiences so completely 

 satisfying as those met with on the sea, with the clear 

 sky above, on some calm peaceful summer morning, 

 after a stifling night spent beneath a roof. The heart 

 seems to grow perceptibly lighter; care vanishes into 

 thin air; one acquires new vigour; and the physical 

 sense of well-being opens up new possibilities of 

 spiritual joy. And though every such morning is 

 lovely and delightful, no two of them are alike. Each 

 has a charm and a joy peculiar to itself. 

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