250 TANN1NG-XETS. 



tanned, take four pounds of pulverised catechu and boil it until 

 thoroughly dissolved in eighteen gallons of water, adding there- 

 to, if procurable, about two hatsful of young oak-bark pounded 

 small, and either put the net into the boiler, leaving it to steep 

 two days and nights, or into a barrel and pour the hot liquid 

 over it. 



If the net be put in the boiler, it should be quite covered 

 with the liquid, or the hot metal may scorch it. The price of 

 catechu is about fivepence a pound, and it is frequently used 

 without any admixture of oak-bark. 



Catechu contains from forty-five to fifty-two per cent. 

 of tannin, more than double the amount contained in oak- bark. 



Catechu can be obtained from ship-chandlers in the chief 

 ports of the kingdom. 



The boiler should be one of copper, or if of iron gal- 

 vanised, to avoid rust. 



For a net previously tanned, use a pound less catechu. 

 Some of the Cornish fishermen pour out their tanning liquor 

 into large vats with coal-tar, and this ingredient is found to 

 preserve the nets much longer, when added to the liquor. 



Landing or Hand-Net. This is described at pp. 91, 214. 



BOATS AND BOATING. 



Several works of merit have of late years been published on 

 these subjects, but as they have no particular reference to boats 

 as connected with sea-fishing, I think it necessary to enter into 

 the subject somewhat in detail. 



Irrespective of means of propulsion by rowing or .sailing, 

 there are two kinds of boating, that is to say, Beach or Surf 

 Boating, and Harbour Boating. 



On all open beaches there is generally some amount of run 

 or swell, caused by the ceaseless undulation of the ocean, 

 which expends itself on the shore in such localities, and is 

 known under the appellation of ' the surf.' This is much more 

 dangerous and difficult to deal with on a flat sandy shore than 

 on a steep pebbly one, as a boat, either in landing or launching, 

 will on the former be exposed to a succession of breakers, 



