2 4 6 



THE BAITED PRAWN-NET. 



Weever is from three to five inches long, but the greater Weever 

 is of more elongated form, being from ten to twelve inches in 

 length. These fish are exceptionally taken with hook and line, 

 being caught in seines and trawls shot for other kinds. Pennant 

 observes, ( The first dorsal fin consists of five very strong spines, 

 which, as well as the intervening membranes, are tinged with 

 black ; this fin, when quiescent, is lodged in a small hollow. 

 The covers of the gills are armed with two very strong spines/ 

 These may inflict painful wounds. 



The Baited Prawn-Net (fig. 76). This description of net 

 is much used on the south Devon coast, 

 being baited with stale Rock- fish (locally 

 called Curners), Gurnards, Horse- Mack- 

 erel, &c., a dozen or twenty being shot at 

 short distances apart, and raised occa- 

 sionally by aid of a buoy-line attached to 

 each. 



They should not exceed two feet dia- 

 meter, depth sixteen inches. 



An iron hoop is superior to those of 

 wood, round bar three-quarters of an inch, 

 if used on an open exposed coast, but of 

 half an inch in more sheltered localities ; 

 if wood be used, they must be weighted 

 with lead or stones, a clumsy method. 



Iron hoops should be galvanised, 

 being much cheaper in the long run, 

 although a little more expensive at first. 



Hermit Crabs for bait or Green Crabs 

 may be taken in these nets \ also Whelks, 

 particularly if baited with a piece of fresh 

 Ray or Skate, to be placed between the 

 double string shown in the cut crossing 

 the net, and then secured by a leather 

 slider on each side, or a piece of string 



Qr 



FIG. 76. 



The Baited Prawn Net. 



On such parts of the coast as afford facilities for so doing 

 by a moderate rise and fall of tide, and where a succession of 



