ESTUARY FISHING IN WESTERN INDIA. 623 



Its depth varies in like manner with the nature of the water. A net of 19' 

 entrance was, I found, 26' deep, so that the largest are said, with reason, to 

 attain 40'. The net is sunk down the stake by heavy weights known as 

 " Walia " (tj |irt J -U ) so tnat tne bottom lies touching the mud, while the top is 

 as close to the surface of the water as possible. As the stakes get covered with 

 barnac'es very quickly, there is a special device to prevent its sticking on the 

 way down known as " Khora". The net is entirely worked by the tide and is 

 taken in a little before slack water. In the making of these nets regular 

 rules are laid down, as regards the number of the meshes at the entrance. The 

 largest have 750, which figure is adhered to, to the end. The mesh at the 

 entrance would be, in this case, nearlJUj^/ in diameter. But the point is that 

 those at the end of the largest net are no larger, thanks to the expertness of 

 the makers, than those at the end of the smallest. In fact at the apex the nets 

 often resemble a mass of knots so closely tied together that it is no easy matter 

 for the in-rushing water to escape. The various gradations of mesh which go to 

 form " Bhoksi " have a regular set of names starting with " Moor" and ending 

 with "Khola." The illustration shows 2 horizontal bars ; they had to be 

 inserted to support the model, but are not actually used as the two vertical 

 stakes are driven firmly into the bed of the Creek. (See Photo A.) 



(.6) Large Wall Nets. 



Photo B. 



2. " Para " (qu). — A l° n g wa ^ net use< l by a class of ,c Kolis " called 

 " Dalni" during the rains at sea and at no inconsiderable risk to themselveB. 

 There are not many " Kolis " who indulge in this sporting occupation ; when 

 they do, the " Matchva " selected is manned by about 20 men, each one 

 being allotted a given position from which he is not permitted to move. 



This net when used in the Creek is a true draw-net (Seine). It requires at 

 least three men, and often six to eight men, with boats, are employed, according 

 to size. The net is only 8' in width or depth ; but a large one often measures 

 180 yards in length. The meshes are here again barely i" in diameter. 



Floats are fixed at very short intervals to make the top of the net rigid, and at 

 either end of the net there are bamboo poles 8 feet in length. Often the 

 bottom of the net has small pieces of lead attached as sinkers ; but this is not 



