COLLECTING AND CLEANING SHELLS. 165 



the dredge is drawn on board by the capstan, and the bag is emp- 

 tied of its contents. 



Different species of sea weed are frequently covered by mi- 

 nute shells ; weeds should always be carefully examined. 

 IMany of the smaller and microscopic shells are found at high 

 water mark among the fine dross and drifted fragments of 

 shells : this sand should be brought home and examined at 

 leisure. To facilitate the process, a small wire-cloth sieve 

 should be made of about six or seven inches square, and all 

 the sand sifted through it ; and the shells left. See plate V. ; 

 %7. 



OF THE GANGUI. 



This is the most simple apparatus for fishing shells. It is a 

 large net in the shape of a bag. The mouth of this bag is 

 kept open while at the bottom of the sea, by means of a stick 

 placed transversely, keeping the margins apart from one side 

 to the other. This stick is equal to the diameter of the aper- 

 ture of the bag, and as it is placed horizontally, it divides that 

 aperture into two halves, the one inferior, and the other supe- 

 rior. The whole cii'cumference of the lower part is furnished 

 with small pieces of lead, whose weight draws it down. The 

 circumference of the upper part is provided, on the contrary, 

 with small pieces of cork, which raise it up •, thus the bag re- 

 mains always open at the bottom of the sea. This bag is drag- 

 ged by means of a rope, which attaches it to a boat, the mo- 

 tions of which it follows. The lead with which the lower part 

 of the aperture is loaded, causes it to drag strongly along the 

 bottom of the sea, the shells and marine plants of which are 

 pulled off, and enter the bag as it is moved forward. 



OI THE RAKE. 



In many cases, the gangui has not sufficient power to detach 

 those shells which adhere strongly to the rocks, at the bottom 

 of the ocean ; in which case, the rake will be found an efficient 

 instrument. 



The rake is composed of a cross piece of iron, armed with 

 teeth, and attached to a long handle, of a similar form to the 



