THE RAY, 103 



two liundred and eighty hooks, at the dirtance of fix feet 

 two inches from each other; the hooks are fafttned to 

 lines of twifted horfe hair, twenty-feven inches in length. 



When filliing, there are always three men in each co- 

 ble, and confequently nine of thefe lines are faflened to- 

 gether, and ul'ed as one line, extending in length near 

 three miles, and furnifhed with above two thoufand five 

 hundred hooks ; an anchor and buoy are fixed at the firfl 

 end of the line, and one more at the end of each man's 

 lines ; in all, four anchors, and tour buoys made of lea- 

 ther or cork. 



The line is always laid acrofs the currents ; the tides 

 of flood and ebb continue an equal time upon our coaft ; 

 and, where undifturbed by winds, run each way about 

 fix hours ; they are fo rapid, that the fifhermen can on- 

 ly flaoot and haul their lines at the turn of the tide ; and, 

 therefore, the lines always remam upon the ground fix 

 hours ; the fame rapidity of tide prevents them from 

 iifing hand lines, and, therefore, two of the people com- 

 monly wrap themfelves up in the fail, and deep, while 

 the other keeps a flricl look out, for fear of being run 

 down by fiiips.and toobferve the weather ; for fiorms of- 

 ten rife fo fuddenly, that it is fometimes with extreme 

 difficulty they efcape to the fliore, though they leave the 

 lines behind them. 



Such is the account which M. Pennant gives * of the 

 manner in which the taking of thefe fiih is conduced in 

 the channel; but there are annually larger veflels, of 

 twenty-five tons burden, that repair at the time of Lent 

 to the Dogger i?fl«,^, where they filli forturbot, cod, ling, 



and 



* Britlfli Zoology. 



