248 



THE BAST-DONA. 



The "bast" spoken of, whicli is largely used in the 

 construction of the " Donor," consists of the inner bark of 

 the Lindentree, prepared in the following manner: — In 

 the month of July, when the sap is rising, one takes from 

 the larger branches of this tree, or from the stem of the 

 yoimg tree itself, as long strips of bark as possible. These 

 are placed in stagnant water, where they are allowed to 

 remain for about three weeks, and until such time as the 

 outer bark has separated from the inner, when they are 

 taken up and dried. " Bast " may also be prepared from 

 the bark of the willow tree; but with this difference, that, 

 prior to its being placed in the water to rot, the coarser 

 parts of it should be removed with a knife. 



THE BAST-DONA. 



This is a simpler contrivance than the " Eing-Dona." 

 Having found on the tree or branch B, to which it is 

 purposed to affix the device, a shoot A, suitable for the 

 purpose, one gradually bends it upwards in the form 

 shown in the diagram, where it is secured by the " bast- 

 line " C, which, from the tension, is always kept on the 

 stretch. The Snares D D are fastened to this line by 

 passing their outer and knotted ends through its strands ; 



