KETTLE-NET AND WEIRS. 171 



weir, which happens at spring tides, there is a certain 

 space inside wliich is never left quite dry. Several of 

 these weirs are constructed in a continuous line, and 

 some are united at the inner extremities of the arms, so 

 that a more or less continuous zigzag barrier is formed 

 by them, extending for a distance, perhaps, of two or 

 three miles along the shore, at a little above ordinary 

 low-water mark. The action of these weirs is more 

 simple and certain even than that of the kettle-net. 

 The fish pass either over the weir when the tide is well 

 in, or round the ends of it ; and all which are inside 

 the barrier when the tide has ebbed sufficiently to 

 expose the top or leave the ends dry have no means 

 of escape, but are obliged to seek temporary safety, as 

 the tide continues falling, in the shallow pool remaining 

 in each of the lower angles. Some of them find their 

 way into the basket trap, and are taken out dead when 

 the basket has been left dry ; and those which are in 

 the pool are landed by means of a small net. 



Although at first sight these weirs may appear to be 

 effectively constructed for catching fish, it is clear that 

 none can enter them until the tide has risen sufficiently 

 to flow either over the top, which is nearly six feet 

 high, or around the extremities of the arms ; and, for 

 some hours afterwards, before the tide has ebbed to 

 the same point, there is nothing to prevent the fish 

 which have come inside the zigzag line from escaping. 

 Mackerel, herrings, and sprats are said to be occa- 

 sionally taken in these weirs, and great numbers of 

 very young fish of various kinds, including flat-fish ; 

 but we question whether a great deal that has been 

 said on this subject is correct. Young flat-fish are not 

 very active swimmers, and at spring tides they would 

 have a long distance to travel from beyond low-water 



