TUCK NET. 23 



TUCK NET. 



The tuck net is in almost daily use in the various 

 estuaries and river-mouths of the coast, especially 

 where there are large mud flats and alluvial de- 

 posits, as these are the most favorable spots on 

 which to use the tuck net. It is a net about 

 twenty-five fathoms in length, but is varied ac- 

 cording to circumstances, and from six feet at the 

 ends to thirty in the bunt or hollow, the upper part 

 is kept spread open by poles or spreaders, weighted 

 at the end with lead, and attached to the rope by 

 a bridle from each end of the pole ; the bottom of 

 the net is weighted with lead. These nets are 

 placed in boats rowed by three or four men, and, 

 on the ground for shooting being chosen, a man 

 steps on shore with one end of the rope in his 

 hand and the boat is rowed in a circle as speedily 

 as possible, so as just to enable the end of the 

 other rope to reach the shore, enclosing the space 

 within the ropes and net. As soon as the first rope 

 is run out an old and experienced hand commences 

 throwing over the net, taking care to spread it a 

 little each time, so as prevent its twisting, and to 



