226 LOBSTER-TRAPS DESCRIBED. 



baited and left until a crustacean is enticed into the 

 snare ; the men, meantime, cruising for bait, or going out 

 in search of haddock. Or the fishing may be left to the 

 old men and youngsters of our fishing- villages ; and these, 

 in the fine days, may be seen watching their lobster-traps 

 and crab-cages with praiseworthy vigilance. 



What is a lobster-trap 1 In appearance it is not un- 

 like " an overgrown rat-trap ; " and it is constructed of 

 stout netting fastened over a framework of wood, and 

 baited with any kind of fish offal or strongly-scented gar- 

 bage. For the crustaceans are the scavengers of the sea, 

 and feed upon the foullest refuse. 



A number of lobster-pots are sunk in a suitable locality, 

 at a depth of twelve to twenty fathoms, and connected 

 by a stout line. When the fisherman thinks his bait has 

 taken, he pulls off in his boat, hauls in his pots, and 

 hastens ashore to deposit them in some convenient recep- 

 tacle until " wanted." The said receptacle is usually an 

 old chest, perforated with many holes, so as to admit the 

 water, and secured in a quiet corner of the beach. In 

 such a receptacle the lobsters can live and ruminate, if 

 crustaceans are given to rumination. 



As for crabs, a line and a bit of raw meat will enable 

 the amateur to make himself the lawful possessor of any 

 number. They are caught in large quantities off the 

 jetties and piers of our sea-ports, being attracted thither 

 by the garbage which is thrown overboard from the fish- 

 ing-smacks and homeward-bound vessels. 



On the granite-bound coast of Scotland, says Mr. Ber- 

 tram, the sport of crab-hunting may be enjoyed to per- 

 fection, and the wonders of the deep studied at the same 

 time. A long pole with a small crook at the end "will 



