174 u TUCKING " THE PILCHARDS. 



tutes ; and; moreover, pilchard-oil finds a good market at 

 Bristol, whence it comes forth again under the name 

 (it is said) of " cod-liver oil." But whether for meat, or 

 money, or light, the pilchards are always welcome; and 

 never more welcome than now, when the treasures of the 

 earth are beginning to fail the Cornishman, and he is 

 glad to avail himself of the treasures of the sea. Let us 

 be joyful with the rest, and hasten down to the shore to 

 see the pilchards "tucked." 



The " seines" have been shot before we arrive at the 

 scene of action, and now close in two circular ramparts 

 roimd their respective takes. For there are two in hand, 

 each measuring about 150 fathoms in length, and from 

 4 to 5 fathoms in depth. Each is carried out in a large 

 boat, which is attended by a " cock -boat." As soon as 

 the huers stationed on the cliff give the auspicious signal, 

 the seine-boat pulls vigorously out to sea, shooting the 

 seine as it goes, the cock-boat keeping at the other end. 

 The fish, striking against the net, invariably follow the 

 seine ; and hence the object of the fishermen is to pull so 

 far ahead of the "school" as to be able to turn it, and, 

 by rejoining the cock-boat, complete a line of circum- 

 vallation. If they succeed in this, the school will be shut 

 up in about one acre of water, marked out by the corks 

 which float the upper edge of the net. When the two 

 boats have joined, the men make a tremendous splashing 

 in order to drive the fish back, and then haul up and 

 fasten the two ends of the seine, so as to complete the 

 circle. Then they proceed with much care and patience 

 to draw it tighter. 



And now, says an eye-witness,* the tucking is begun 



* " Pilchards and Pilchard-Catchers," in Blackwood's Magazine, No. DCCVII. 



