"ZA SALMONID^. 



are well aware of this coasting voyage of the Salmon, take 

 care to project their nets at such places as may be most con- 

 venient for intercepting them in their course." 



" It so happens that Carrick-a-rede (the rock in the road), 

 between Ballycastle and Portrush, eastward of Ballintoy, 

 is the only place on this abrupt coast (the northern coast of 

 the county of Antrim) which is suited for the purpose. The 

 net is projected directly outward from the shore with a slight 

 bend, forming a bosom in that direction in which the Salmon 

 come. From the remote extremity of the net a rope is 

 brought obliquely to another part of the shore, by which 

 the net may be swept round at pleasure and drawn to the 

 land : a heap of small stones is then prepared for each per- 

 son. All things being ready, as soon as the watchman 

 perceives .the fish advancing to the net, he gives the watch- 

 word. Immediately some of the fishermen seize the oblique 

 rope, by which the net is bent round to enclose the Salmon, 

 while the rest keep up an incessant cannonade with their 

 ammunition of stones, to prevent the retreat of the fish till 

 the net has been completely pulled round them ; after which 

 they all join forces, and drag the net and fish quietly to the 

 rocks." * 



Pursuing a course along the shore and arrived at an 

 estuary, on each side of the mouth, and for miles up on both 

 sides, stake-nets are used, of which the vignette represents 

 the form. The distance between high and low water mark 

 on the shore is the site occupied. The shallow extremity 

 of the net on the left hand in the figure, which is fixed and 

 supported by stakes, is placed on the shore at high-water 

 mark ; the deepest part of the net, at low-water mark ; the 

 concavity of the sweep of the net between its two ends, 



* Letters concerning the Natural History of the Basalts on the Northern 

 Coast of the County of Antrim, by the Rev. William Hamilton, A.B. 



