243 



THE UAST-DONA. 



The " bast " spoken of, which is largely used in the 

 construction of the " Donor," consists of the inner bark of 

 the Lindentree, prepared in the following manner: In 

 the month of July, when the sap is rising, one takes from 

 the larger branches of this tree, or from the stem of the 

 young tree itself, as long strips of bark as possible. These 

 are placed in stagnant water, where they are allowed to 

 remain for about three weeks, and until such time as the 

 outer bark has separated from the inner, when they arc 

 taken up and dried. " Bast" may also be prepared from 

 the bark of the willow tree ; but with this difference, that, 

 prior to its being placed in the water to rot, the coarser 

 parts of it should be removed with a knife. 



TIIK I! V-T I'..N v. 



This is a simpler contrivance than the " Ring-Dona." 

 Having found on the tree or branch 15, to which it is 

 purposed to allix the device, a shoot A, suitable for < lie 

 purpose, one gradually bends it upwards in the form 

 shown in the dia-ram, where it is secured by the "bast- 

 line" C, which, tVoni the tension, is always kept on the 

 stretch. The Snares D D are fastened to this line 1>\ 

 passing (heir outer and knotted ends through its strands ; 



