OYSTERS AND METHODS OF OYSTEK-CULTURE. 



315 



12 or 14 inches in diameter, at or near each end of the bar. These 

 hoops ride over the bottom like runners and the crushing surface is 

 thus much reduced. The general construction of these tangles is shown 

 in cut 2. The weight appears to be unnecessarily great, all that is 

 actually required being that which is sufficient to hold the tangles 

 upon the bottom when in motion, a condition which is largely insured 

 by the sagging of the chain used in towing. 



A vessel-owner at New Haven, Capt. Thomas Thomas, who has been 

 very successful in "starring," uses a much lighter tangle constructed 

 as follows: To a half-inch chain, about 8 feet long, stout wires 12 



Cut 3.— Tackle. 



or 14 feet long are attached at regular intervals, and to these wires 

 are fastened mops or swabs of cotton waste. The chain is securely 

 lashed to a bar about 7 feet long by li inches wide and half an inch 

 thick, provided with a bracket and eye for the attachment of the drag 

 chain, as shown in cut 2. 



When in use this tangle covers an area about 7 feet wide and 12 feet 

 long, forming a dense mat of snarled cotton threads. One of these is 

 towed on each side of the vessel, like a dredge, and, sweeping over the 

 bottom, entangles the starfish with which it comes into contact. The 

 length of time during which the mops are towed depends upon the 



