176 THE AL-KUPA. 



intended to capture eels. It is, however, a less common kind 

 of Mjarde, and the use of it for the most part confined 

 to the Skargard. 



The Al-Kupa is in general formed of osiers, though at 

 times of slips of the Scotch fir. Its construction is in 

 degree the same as that of the Vide-Mjarde ; but it 

 differs from it in shape, as well from being triangular 

 (that one surface may lie close to the bottom), as that 

 at the lesser end, there is a small aperture, whereby 

 to abstract the captured fish, which opening, when 

 the Kupa is brought into use, is stopped up with a 

 plug. It is besides somewhat larger, being frequently 

 upwards of four feet in length, and so capacious that 

 either side of the triangle in front measures about eighteen 

 inches. The Ingang is also much longer than in the 

 Vide-Mjarde. 



The Al-Kupa should be very closely and securely bound 

 together, for the reason that if there be a sufficient opening 

 for the eel to insert his tail, he generally manages to worm 

 himself out ; it has, therefore, the appearance of a plaited 

 basket. 



In some instances the Al-Kupa is provided with arms or 

 wings, composed of netting, which are of some little length 

 and of an equal height with itself; these are placed either 

 at right angles, or obliquely forward, the better to lead the 

 fish into the toils. 



Then again there is the Garn-Mjarde, which although 

 used in much the same manner and for similar purposes 

 as the Vide-Mjarde, differs therefrom both in respect to 

 the material twine of which it is for the most part 

 composed, as in shape and construction. 



