12 Description of a New Tote -Net 



lower arms are released, falling to the bottom of the cylinder. To 

 close it, a large messenger, the diameter of the funnel, strikes the 

 latter, drives it down, and, compressing the upper springs, the upper 

 arms are also released and fall to the bottom, and the net is securely 

 closed. 



The three positions of the net — (1) ready closed for lowering, 

 (2) open as in towing, (3) closed ready for raising — are shown in the 

 figures on p. 11. 



The whole net-frame, from the top of the funnel to the bottom of 

 the cylinder, is 3 feet -1 inches long when the net is opened, and 3 feet 

 2 inches when the net has been shut. The outside diameter of the 

 main cylinder is 2 inches, and its length 2 feet 9^ inches ; the length 

 of the piston 20 inches ; the top of the funnel 4J inches diameter, and 

 the lower end, which fits over the main cylinder, 2-J inches. 



The fine silk (bolting silk) net is 3 feet 6 inches long, stitched on 

 to a leather border of 5|- inches length, which is attached to the frame. 

 Conical in shape, at the end it is only 6 inches diameter, and in order 

 to prevent maceration of the captured specimens, which occurs in the 

 ascent of the net by the friction of the sides falling together, I have 

 for long used a cane hoop sewn into the net a little way before the 

 end, which serves to keep the end of the net open, and has proved to 

 be markedly advantageous to the preservation of the specimens. As 

 silk nets are apt to get torn, and not unfrecpiently have burst under 

 the pressure, we have also for long now used the protective covering 

 of a duck-bag, inside which the silk net is freely suspended. This has 

 effected a great saving in silk nets. 



This net-frame was made for me by the eminent engineers 

 Messrs. Bullivant and Co., of London, who expended much time and 

 experiment in the construction of the models, and produced a net- 

 frame of perfect workmanship. The simplicity of the apparatus, and 

 its accuracy in opening and shutting under water, leave nothing to be 

 desired. I have endeavoured to give a description of the net without 

 overloading it with technical details, but a more accurate (from an 

 engineer's point of view) description can be readily obtained from the 

 specification drawn up by Messrs. Bullivant and Co. 



