18 APPARATUS. 



which should be rounded for the convenience of 

 handling. The wood, by its buoyancy, when the 

 net is in use in the water, tends to preserve the 

 vertical position of the framework. In the mouth 

 of the net thus formed by the union of the iron 

 and wood a piece of netting is to be applied all 

 round, which should diminish gradually, both in 

 the size of the net and its mesh, till at the 

 distance of seven or eight feet from the frame- 

 work it should terminate in a round open mouth, 

 about the size of the top of a stocking. The 

 mesh of the net for the last three feet should be 

 very small, as it is at this part the most strenuous 

 efforts to escape will be made, particularly by the 

 Syngnathi. The net is to be drawn along the 

 ground by a small rope over the stern of the 

 boat, which should not be rowed fast. This tow- 

 rope ends towards the net by a three-tie bridle, 

 one of which is attached to the centre of the 

 wooden beam ; of the other two, one goes to each 

 side, and thus the mouth of the net is not only 

 kept square to the front, but its vertical position 

 is also preserved. 



The open tail of the net being closed and 

 securely tied, and the apparatus put overboard 



