THE FISH POT OF THE CAETBBEAN SEA. 201 



placed on edge so as to assume somewhat the shape the pot is in- 

 tended to take. Upon this upstanding trellis the future top of the 

 pot is placed, and its edges firmly laced to the upper edge of the side 

 piece by the branches of a strong and durable withe locally known 

 as the vine or blue pear {Gereus triangularis). When this lacing has 

 been completed all round the incomplete structure is turned completely 

 over, the top, or already laced section, now lying on the [ground. 

 The bottom piece is now placed in position, as was the first, or top, 

 and similarly laced all round. The plaited funnels, or entrance 

 mouths, already introduced into the pot^s interior, are now placed in 

 position between the top and bottom sections, and these are also 

 lashed firmly by pieces of the same withe. When all the lacing and 

 tying bas been completed, a straight stick of from one and a quarter 

 to one aud a half inches in diameter and some six inches longer than 

 the pot's depth, is placed in each corner of the pot, passing through, 

 tbe extreme corner mesbes of both top and bottom sections, and 

 tbese are firmly lashed in position. 



The pot lying on the flat surface of the sand causes these upright 

 pieces, or posts, to project or extend upwards, about four or five 

 inches, through the upper or bottom section, and these form four 

 legs or supports, biting the rock, grass, or sand upon which the pot 

 is eventually set. To these four posts are first lashed and then nailed 

 two long, round poles which cross each other in the centre of the 

 pot, and they are firmly lashed along their entire length, giving to 

 the structure stability and strength. 



The bottom or under side of the pot now being complete, the 

 structure is turned over, and two other poles are placed in similar 

 positions over and along the top, lashed and nailed to the four 

 corners upright. 



The curved or bent heads or mouths of the funnels are now brought 

 up against the top and firmly secured in position by lashing. When 

 thus fastened these funnels have their inner ends raised against the 

 top side of the pot, their mouths, which are pear-shaped, turning 

 downwards. The next thing is the introduction of four stones, 

 the size and weight depending upon dimensions of the pot, and 

 these are lashed, one in each corner at the bottom, to act as sinkers 

 and subsequently weights, when the pot is set and lying in position. 



The finishing stroke now only remains, and this is done by attach- 

 ing the cable to the two cross-poles at the point of intersection, 

 which should be as nearly as possible over the centre of the pot. 

 To this cable are attached withe stays which are run from the cross- 

 poles, and these prevent the pot turning or swaying from side to 

 side. The engine is now ready to be taken to sea and deposited as 

 a submarine trap for fish, many of whom enter the funnels and 



