THE S TOW-NET. 95 



fastened to the mouth of the net, one on the upper side 

 of the square and the other at the foot. More than 

 this, however, is necessary to keep the mouth properly 

 open, and this essential part of the arrangement is pro- 

 vided for, by having a rope from each end of the upper 

 balk to the corresponding side of the vessel, and by 

 weighting the lower balk in order to sink it. When 

 therefore, the vessel has taken up her position for 

 fishing, both vessel and net are held by the same 

 anchor, and the depth at which it is thought best for 

 the net to remain is regulated by the ropes from the 

 ends of the upper balk leading to the vessel. The 

 strain on this enormous bag-net by the force of the 

 tide is often very great, but the net, being held by 

 the same anchor as holds the vessel, both keep in the 

 same relative position, even if the combined strain 

 should cause the anchor to drag. In this position 

 then, the vessel and net remain till the tide has nearly 

 done, the sails being all taken down, and only one 

 hand being left on deck as a watch to see when it is 

 getting slack-water, and to keep a general look-out. 

 As soon as the tide is becoming slack, all hands pre- 

 pare to haul up the net. The first thing to be done is 

 to close the mouth of the net. This is effected by 

 means of a chain fastened to the middle of the lower 

 balk at the foot of the mouth of the net, and leading 

 through an iron loop at the middle of the upper balk 

 upwards to a small davit at the bow of the vessel. 

 By heaving in this chain, the two balks are brought 

 close together, and ultimately raised above the surface 

 of the water, the net with all the contained fish stream- 



