228 



THE LEISTER. 



engraved in Lyson's history of the county as a Roman 

 remain, represents a fisherman with his spear and 

 basket. 



I will now describe the salmon spear at present in 

 use. It was formerly called waster ; but that term is 

 nearly out of use, except by the old fishermen, and it is 

 now better known by the name of leister. It resembles 



a trident in its general appearance ; but has five prongs, 

 instead of three, made of very stout iron : there is only 

 one barb to each prong, as two would tear the fish too 

 much in extricating them. This weapon is fastened to 

 the end of a pole more or less long, according to the 

 depth of the water in which it is intended to be used ; 

 sixteen feet is the general length, and it is not easy to 



