3G0 



Canon A. M. Norman on the 



to tlic handle, so that the fisher's breast bears on it [see 

 fig-ure]. Tlie nets are from 3 feet to 4 leet 6 inches across 

 the wooden (ash) blade which forms the base. The best 



nets are of horsehair cloth, as used for sieves, but ordinary 

 linen cheese-cloth is mostly used. At about 18 inches from 

 the pocket of the net a cane ring witli netting of about three 

 quarters of an inch mesh is inserted across itj so as to prevent 

 the entrance of larger objects (crabs, shrimps, &c.) among 

 the Mysids. 



" The men usually wade waist-deep, pushing the net before 

 them for ten minutes or so, when tliey untie the pocket end 

 and empty their catch into their basket. 



" When the ' Clierve ' is brought home it is mixed with 

 a sufficient quantity of coarse salt to preserve it, and then it 

 is pressed into pans. It forms a pink-coloured compost. 

 This is sold to mullet-anglers at about four shillings a gallon, 

 though many anglers obtain a licence and take their own 

 supply. 



"The favourite places for mullet are not far from the 

 shore, and high water is the best time for the sport. The 

 angler takes a spoonful of ' Ciierve ' from his tin, uses it as a 

 ground-bait, and waits awhile. If no mullet turn up in ten 

 or twenty minutes, he tries another spot or goes home ; but 

 almost invariably a few are soon attracted, to be followed by 

 a crowd. The ' Cherv^ ' tints the water pinkish for some 

 yards around, and has a strong and not pleasant smell, like 

 that of boiled prawn or lobster gone bad. 



