THE STRAND-NET. 245 



A piece of clean deal without knots is strong enough, and 

 of course lighter than ash. 



Two strong pieces of stick being fastened in the ends of the 

 board, inclining slightly outwards, the net is supported on a 

 stout cord tightly stretched between these and a piece of stick 

 lashed crosswise on the staff. 



The net is secured to the thick back edge of the board by 

 loops of thin leather nailed to this edge with copper tacks, at 

 intervals of about four inches. 



The Shrewsbury thread is quite strong enough for this net 

 also, but should be edged with double or stouter twine, through 

 which a cord should be run for convenience in fixing. 



If desirous of packing the net snug for travelling, you have 

 merely to cast off the cross piece and unship the staff, when you 

 can easily withdraw the sticks from the ends of the board, and 

 the whole affair will not occupy more space than a gig umbrella. 



Where the sea-grass abounds you will of course push the 

 net in the direction of the lay of the weed, or you will double 

 your labour with little result. 



The best receptacle for Shrimps or Prawns is a common 

 fishing basket, but the better kind of basket is not so well 

 adapted for this purpose, being usually too shallow and having 

 too wide an opening ; in fact, the front and back should be of 

 equal height, and the mouth somewhat narrower than the bottom. 



Shrimps and Prawns should be sought for during spring 

 tides ; that is to say, from three days before new and full moon 

 until three days after, when the greater reflux of the water 

 renders their haunts more accessible than at neaps. 



Never wade after Shrimps or Prawns with bare feet, lest 

 you tread on the back-fin of a Weever (Trachinus draco), a 

 little fish which has the habit of lying hid in the sand with the 

 said prickly back-fin just beneath the surface, wounds from which 

 are most painful. The author of ' Fish and its Cookery ' says : 

 ' The most effectual cure for a wound of this kind is to make a 

 strong brine, and then plunging in the wounded part to keep the 

 brine as hot as the patient can bear it.' Mr. Couch says that 

 smart friction with oil soon restores the wounded part to health. 

 An old pair of shoes will entirely obviate the risk. The common 



