MARINE COLLECTING. . 3? 



It is advisable to have the end of the dredge rope fastened 

 by a " safety cord," that is, a small cord tied around the 

 dredge rope and made fast to a cleat. Thus, in case the 

 dredge suddenly catch, the strain will break the smaller cord 

 and allow time for the boat to be turned around without 

 breaking the rope and loosing the dredge. When dredging 

 from a large boat in deep water this is absolutely indispen- 

 sable, if any regard be had for the preservation of the 

 collecting apparatus. An experienced person can judge of 

 the character of the bottom, the condition of the dredge, 

 etc., by the tremor of the dredge rope. 



When full, the dredge should be pulled up, its contents 

 poured into sieves and then washed with water. The sieves 

 employed should be made of copper wire and have fine 

 meshes. They may be so arranged as to hang over the side 

 of the vessel, or they may be placed in a trough which will 

 carry away the dirty water without soiling the boat. When 

 washed, the contents of the dredge are picked over and the 

 specimens preserved according to their character. While this 

 operation is in progress, the dredge may be down gathering 

 new treasures. 



The trawl, fig. 14, generally consists of a long beam, six to 

 ten feet in length, bearing a runner on each end, and attached 

 to the beam is a long net whose lower edge is weighted with 

 lead. This net should have several " pockets " and the 

 hinder end should have an opening, secured with a string. 

 The trawl is attached to the rope and used in a similar manner 

 to the dredge. It can only be used on smooth bottoms free 

 from rocks, and catches the fishes, shrimps, hydroids, etc., 



