GREA T BRITAIN. 5 1 



which, being attached to the beam, is raised by means of 

 the trawl-head about three feet off the ground. The lower 

 edge of the bag forms a very deep curve, continuous from 

 the foot or shoe of the trawl-head on one side to that of 

 the other, and this is protected by a foot rope made of old 

 but rather heavy material, but which is intended to give 

 way if caught in any obstruction, but by its weight disturbs 

 any fish, which, darting forward, are almost sure to become 

 captured in the net. The various portions of the net have 

 received distinctive names. The bag or bosom gradually 

 decreases in width from a little distance beyond its base or 

 mouth to about eight or ten feet before it reaches its hind 

 end, this last portion, termed the cod, being of about 

 the same diameter throughout, and which is secured at its 

 outer end by a cord. As this portion of the net, which 

 generally contains the captures, is subject to considerable 

 friction, its under surface is protected by what are termed 

 rubbing-pieces, consisting of pieces of leather or else por- 

 tions of old netting. The body of the net as it commences 

 to decrease in size is subdivided into three portions, the 

 purse on either side, and the bosom in the middle. The 

 purse, which has smaller meshes than the body of the net, 

 is constructed by fastening together the upper and lower 

 parts of the body of the trawl-net, from where it com- 

 mences to taper to so far as the cod, and dividing it into 

 three portions or breadths, which posteriorly become of 

 nearly equal widths. Prior to where the tapering of the 

 trawl commences, a flap or valve passes across to prevent 

 any fish re-ascending and thus escaping. The strong trawl- 

 warp is attached in front to the vessel, and posteriorly to 

 the bridle or span-ropes, one of which passes to the trawl- 

 head on either side. 



A trawler, in case of accidents, generally has two sets of 



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