242 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Tliunny iishery in parts of the Mediterranean; 



streights between rocks and islands, to which 

 places the thunnies resort in the greatest num- 

 bers. The entrance of these passages is carefully 

 closed with nets, excepting a small aperture called 

 the outer door of the tonnaro. This door leads 

 to the first chamber, or the hall, as it is denomi- 

 nated. As soon as the fish have gone into the 

 hall, the fishermen, watching for them, close the 

 outer door by dropping a small piece of a net, 

 which prevents their escape. They then open 

 the inner door of the hall, which leads to the 

 second apartment, called the antichamber. To 

 drive them into this chamber the following arti- 

 fice is employed ; the fishermen take a handful 

 of gravel, which they throw at the fish, and this 

 they repeat till all the thunnies arc in the divi- 

 sion called the antichamber* The thunny is so 

 timid, that when he feels the gravel he is fright- 

 ened, and takes refuge in the antichamber. 

 Sometimes, however, the gravel is not sufficient; 

 therefore, to effect this purpose, they let down 

 into the sea a frightful figure made of a sheep- 

 skin. Should this expedient be found unavailing, 

 the chamber is closed with a strong net, and the 

 fish are driven in by force. When they are all 

 in the antichamber, the inner door is likewise 

 closed, and the outer one is opened, for the ad- 

 mission of another company. Some of these 

 tonnaros are composed of a great number of 

 chambers, each having a particular name; but 

 the; Uist of them is alwuys denominated the 



