[71] MATERIALS FOR A HISTORY OF THE SWORD-FISHES. 359 
delle Volpi. On the Sicilian coast nets are employed principally between 
S. Teressa and Gazzi, but between Salvatore dei Greci and Capo Peloro, 
where the management of nets would be very difficult on account of the 
deep water and rapid currents, the harpoon fishery prevails. 
‘The season of the regular fishery in Calabria extends from the mid- 
dle of April to the end of June, and in Sicily from the middle of July to 
the middle of August. The capture of young Sword-fish, however, con- 
tinues to increase long after this time, the season often extending to the 
middle of October. Fish weighing little more than a single kilogram 
are frequently taken, and the practice, therefore, has been strongly cen- 
sured. In the latter part of October both adult and young fish disap- 
pear, retreating, as many suppose, to the depths of the ocean. They 
reappear in spring prior to spawning time, and remain on the fishing 
grounds throughout the entire season. 
‘‘ Fisheries are also carried on, but with more or less irregularity, among 
the Liparian Islands, near Tropea, in Calabria, in the tunny-nets of 
Milazzo, Oliveri, and 8. Giorgio, near Patti, and in the waters of Sar- 
dinia. 
‘‘ The fishery on the Sicilian and Calabrian coasts is prosecuted at cer- 
tain fixed stations. At some of them, such as station 25, in Calabria, net 
and harpoon fisheries are carried on with equal success; but at others, 
as for instance at station 21, in Sicily, only the harpoon fishery can be 
prosecuted, and at others, again, as at station 20, the net fishery alone 
prospers. 
‘‘The stations are occupied by the gangs (poste) of fishermen. The 
conformation of some portions of the coast of Calabria is such that the 
day fishery with nets cannot be carried on, and at these points each 
gang comprises two boats, or feluccas, of from 10 to 16 tons, two skiffs 
for each felucca, and one additional skiff used in carrying on communica- 
tion between the boats. 
“The palamitara is set from time to time, and at each station is fitted 
up in the manner deemed most suitable by the fishermen. It is made 
of gfrong hemp twine, and is hung to two ropes, the upper being buoyed 
by cork floats and the lower weighted with leads. The length of the 
net varies between 600 and 800 meters, the breadth is 16 meters, and 
the area 14,000 to 15,000 meters, more or less, according to the depth of 
water, which on these coasts varies between 40 and 600 meters; the 
mesh measures about 17 centimeters, bar. Each end of the upper rope 
is tied to a large cork buoy, to which a bell is attached, which sounds 
with every motion of the net. 
‘‘ By these arrangements the net has sufficient play, so that it is not 
liable to injury by the sea. At the same time, when a fish strikes the 
net and is gilled, the more it struggles to get free the more it becomes 
entangled. In the mean time the ringing of the bell gives the fishermen 
the signal that a fish is captured, and they hasten to free the net and 
set it again. 
