76 BRITISH FISH AND FISHERIES, 



The other mode is called in Italian tonnaro, 

 and in Proven9e madrague. Parallel with the 

 shore, along which the shoals take their course, 

 a net, extending for a mile, is fixed vertically 

 by means of corks along its upper margin, 

 and weights along its lower edge, and kept in 

 its position by anchors ; it thus forms a sort 

 of netted wall ; from this wall to the coast are 

 drawn numerous cross nets, dividing the space 

 into many chambers, having narrow openings 

 of communication on the land side. Proceed- 

 ing along, between the long net wall and the 

 shore, the fishes are soon stopped by one of 

 the cross nets ; instead of turning back, they 

 enter into the chamber by the narrow opening 

 left for them ; having entered, they are driven 

 by the fishermen from chamber to chamber till 

 they enter the last, which is floored with a 

 strong net, so fixed as to be capable of being 

 raised or lowered. About this chamber of 

 death, the fishermen, armed Avith long poles, 

 collect in boats, and the unequal conflict 

 begins. The net flooring is raised ; the 

 floundering of the devoted tunnies, the shouts 

 of the men, the splashing of the long poles, as 

 they rain blows on the crowded fish, constitute 

 a scene which forms one of the greatest amuse- 

 ments of the people of Sicily, and the soutliern 



