xl 



INTEODUCTION. 



(see fig. 23, «). A loose cord is fastened to the ends of the V and held in the left 

 hand, while the short handle is held in the right, the net is thrust nearly vertically 

 into the water and pushed along, and raised by means of the cord ; consequently any 

 fish that may be enclosed falls back into the net. The " luafa " (fig. 23, b) is used in 

 the same way. 



The third form of hand-net is also known as a " luafa" (fig. 23, c), and is used at 

 various places on the Delta. It differs from the " shilb " in having the V-shaped 



Fig. 23. 



piece strengthened by a cross-bar, to which the cord for raising the net is attached. It 

 is sometimes worked from the prow of a boat which is stopped at likely spots near the 

 river-bank. 



The next district to be worked was the stretch of river running between Assiut and 

 Assuan, for which purpose I hired a small fishing-boat, the middle portion of which 

 was covered over with canvas, making a fairly comfortable dining-, bed-, and work- 

 room combined. The crew, which consisted of three men, combined a maximum of 

 sleep with a minimum of work. 



Before starting, I spent ten days fishing in the immediate neighbourhood of Assiut, 

 and made one expedition of quite an exciting nature. The objective was a fair-sized 



