BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [36] 



ON THE USE OP THE TOWING NET. 



The towing net is an accessory to the collector's outfit which some- 

 times produces very desirable results in the way of collections. This can 

 be used but little, except with a sailing vessel. The frame of the towing 

 net is a circle of brass wire with four small loops of wire attached to it 

 solidly, at equal distances sqyart (Figs. 7 and 8). To the frame is sewed 

 a net made of cheese cloth, mosquito netting, or, preferably, of bobbinet. 

 The border of the net, which is to be sewed over the brass ring, is best 

 made of ordinary cotton cloth doubled and sewed over the wire. Be- 

 tween the doubled hinder edges of the cotton the bobbinet or mosquito 

 netting may be fastened so as to form a conical net of the diameter of 

 the ring and about 2 feet in length. If the netting is sewed directly 

 over the wire it will give way much sooner than if cotton cloth is used 

 for this part of it. To the loops referred to four small cords, ordinary 

 cod line being a desirable size for the purpose, are securely fastened 

 and knotted together in front of the ring, at a distance of about 3 feet. 



c 



Figs. 7 and 8. — Towing net ring. 



Care should be taken that they are exactly of the same length, so that 

 when the net is suspended by the knot at that junction the ring will 

 hang perfectly horizontal. In front of the knot is attached a line of 

 suitable length, which may also be cod line, and this is made fast to the 

 rail of the vessel. A sufficient amount of line is paid out to enable the 

 net to drag evenly at the surface, with a small portion of the ring show- 

 ing above the water. If too little line is paid out the net will jump and 

 will not sink deeply enough to be of much service. If too much line is 

 given to it it will sink too deep and lose those organisms which have 

 the habit of floating on the surface. It is better to attach the towing 

 net to the vessel's quarter rather than directly over the rudder, since 

 refuse thrown overboard is very apt to drift in the ship's wake, and, if 

 the net is towing directly aft, to drift into it. If the vessel is going at 

 a moderate rate of speed there will be no difficulty in using the towing 

 net. A little exi)erience will show whether the circumstances are favor- 

 able for its use or not. 



