PILCHARD. 87 



close to the shore, perhaps without the movement having been 

 noticed until the fish have reached it. It is at this juncture 

 that the principal opportunity is afforded for the successful 

 prosecution of the fishery with seans. 



One method of conducting the fishery for Pilchards is by 

 drift or driving nets, the outfit of which consists of a number 

 of nets, which varies according to the means of the fisherman, 

 and in consequence of the size of his boat; but a usual 

 equipment may amount to twenty, of which each net measures 

 in length from eighteen to twenty fathoms: so that what is 

 termed a string of nets may reach three quarters of a mile. 

 These nets are fastened to each other in length, and to a 

 head line, along which is placed a row of corks; and another 

 line runs loosely along the middle of the nets to afford addi- 

 tional strength in rough weather, or when the nets are drawn 

 loaded, with fish. These drift nets have hitherto been made 

 of hemp, of which the finer the quality the better; but 

 within a few years a preference has been given to cotton 

 nets, which do indeed become worn out in much less time, 

 but yet are believed, coupled with their lower cost, to produce 

 a greater profit by taking a far greater abundance of fish. 



A set of these nets is carried on board the boat, which, 

 on other occasions, is employed in the hook or other usual 

 method of taking fish; but an addition is commonly required 

 to the ordinary amount of the crew; for in turbulent weather, 

 with a favourable capture, it requires no small degree of 

 strength, as well as length of time, to lift the dripping burden 

 from the rolling waves over the gunwale. The nets are cast 

 or shot at about the going down of the sun, for the fish will 

 not enter the meshes in broad daylight, and they are drawn 

 on board, or hauled, in two or three hours. It is usual also 

 to shoot them again as morning approaches, as the dusk of 

 twilight is found to afford the best prospect of success, rather 

 than deep darkness, which may be explained by the fact that 

 the brilliancy of the briming is at that time less conspicuous. 

 The nature of this appearance will be explained when we 

 are describing the fishery with seans; but in a dark night, 

 under its influence every thread of the nets appears as if on 

 fire, and thus is rendered a terrifying object to a timid fish. 

 A rope from the end of the string of nets is fastened to the 



