A LONG “SET LINE.” 21 
States Fish Commission, by Captain George Mer- 
chant, Jr., an experienced fisherman of Gloucester 
(U.S.A.). Such a line as this is managed by two 
men, though it is divided into sections for greater 
convenience in handling; and, if desirable, two or 
more set-lines may be made of it). This set-line 
was composed of the following parts:—Ground-line, 
nearly 11,150 feet (2% miles) in length, to which 
- 2,000 hooks were attached by small lines called 
gangings, each 3 feet long (the hooks were placed 
53 feet apart); two small anchors; two keg-buoys 
to mark the position of the line; two buoy-lines, 
each roo tathoms Jong; two flags for the buoys; a 
“trawl roller’? and two pairs of “ nippers.”’ (The 
trawl voller is secured to the gunwale of the boat, 
near the bow, in such a manner that the line passes 
over it as the bultow is pulled in by the fishermen. 
The woollen “ nippers’’ are held on the hands of the 
fisherman—one on each hand—who is thus enabled 
to grasp the line firmly, and to pull with all his 
strength—an impossible feat for a bare-handed 
person). 
With the exception of the Beam-trawl, none of the fishing- 
gear abovementioned was replaced. 
The Bultow, it may be added, is likely to be used on a 
large scale in our future outside fisheries. At the present 
time a few men are using it in the vicinity of Sydney, with 
splendid results, the catch to a great extent consisting of 
such an important fish as the Snapper. 
