20 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



To set the trap, compress tlie spring by brmging tlie disc and ring 

 towards eacli other until the lip passes over the lower end of the latch. 

 The other extremity of the latch rests in the angle of the bait-holder. 

 As soon as a fish displaces the holder by taking the bait, the latch is 

 liberated from engagement with the lip of the dog, and the sirring 

 causes the disc and ring to move apart, bringing the points of the hooks 

 together firmly securing the fish, "which, in most instances, will be 

 instantly killed. A ring is provided to which the line may be fastened. 



No drawing. 



FISHTVAYS. 



No. 974 of 1858. — Phymoni. — Apparatus for CatcMng Fish. — A trench 

 cased with brick, wood, or stone, provided with a cover. 



Operation : Eaises the cover by means of cross-bars a few inches to 

 allow the water and fish to pass in, when the fish will secrete themselves 

 within the trench. When necessary, places bait in the trench to allure 

 or decoy the fish. Also, places along the sides of the trench, against the 

 apertures, a lattice of wire so hung as to rise or fall and close the aper- 

 ture against egress of the fish. No drawing. 



HARPOONS. 



No. 1367 of 1783. — Bayles. — "A triangular instrument which, when 

 struck, i)ushed, or thrown, and falling on its point on large fish, will 

 penetrate, crijiple, kill, and hold such fish; or, if falling on its side, its 

 withers will grax)ple and take the fish." No di'awing. 



No. 4563 of 1821. — Congrea^^ and Colquhoun. — Force the barbed 

 instrument into the fish by means of a rocket. Eccket may be used 

 alone, or before or behind the harpoon, or to carry a line, or a shell 

 which, bursting within the body of the whale, will kill it, and may besides 

 fill it with gas and prevent its sinking. No drawing. 



No. 8541 of 1840. — Lance. — The rod is provided with a screw-thread 

 running its entire length and working into a ferule in the head of the 

 harpoon ; to the reverse end is attached a fly, which forces the harjDOon 

 into the fish as he moves forward. Attached to the harpoon is a buoy, 

 to assist in impeding the fish's progress. 



Figure 4 is a varied form of the instrument, made with triangular- 

 cutting edges toward the point, and furnished at its base with barbs 

 which turn on pivots. Drawing, Plate V. 



No. 125 of 1856. — Eechten. — The baib of the harpoon is made in 

 one piece, turns on a center at the end of the shaft, and is retained by 

 a peg, so that when the barb enters the fish the peg will be broken and 

 the barb wUl place itself at right angles to the shaft. The shaft consists 

 of two bars welded together} the head is made tubular a short distance, 

 and a hole extends transversely through it. The harpoon is shot from 

 a gun. Drawing, Plate II. 



