208 THE SLAP-SUMP. 



(Fig. 1), thus designated, because it is often taken in slap, 

 or tow. In my neighbourhood, however, it was only 

 used for the preservation of bait. It is generally small 

 and triangular, and its sides and bottom are pierced with 

 numerous holes. At the upper end, or that forming the 

 base of the triangle, is a small opening, closed by a lid, 

 and at the other end a ring, to which is fastened the towing- 

 rope, or the line by which it is anchored. 



A second kind of Slap-sump (Fig. 2), whose use is 

 confined pretty much to the coast, is formed of a block 

 of fir or spruce-pine, from four to five feet long, which, 

 after having been properly trimmed and rounded at the 

 ends, is split into two. Both halves are then scooped 

 out in the manner of a dough-trough, and a square hole 

 cut in one side, of sufficient size to admit the hand. After- 

 wards they are carefully put together again and secured, first 

 with wooden pins, and then with an iron hoop at either end. 

 Pretty large holes are bored in every direction, and across 

 each of these again is a wire, to prevent the escape of smaller 

 fish. Like the Sump last spoken of, it has a ring at one 

 end for the reception of the towing-rope. 



Another sort of Sump, used chiefly in the Skargard, is 

 called the Segel-Sump, which consists of a larger or smaller 

 boat. The more common kind are twelve to sixteen feet 

 in the keel. About one-third of the after part of the boat 

 partitioned off, and numerous holes being bored in the 

 sides of the compartment, a well is thus formed. But in 

 the transport of fish, one must be careful, it is said, not to 

 put to sea in stormy weather, even should the wind be 

 favourable ; for if the boat's progress through the water be 

 too rapid, the fish die. 



