INTEODUCTION". 



the fishes of chief commercial value being taken in long nets which require a number 

 of men to work them. These fishes are the Grey Mullets, of which there are three 

 species, Bouri {Mugil cephalus), Tobar (M. capito\ and Garan (M. auratus). 



The nets are usually about 3 metres wide and have a mesh of ^ to J inch ; they 

 vary considerably in length, often being about 100 metres long, whilst the largest 

 in use is 400 metres long and requires 80 men and boys to work it. Each man 

 supplies a length of 6 to 10 metres, these being joined together to form the 

 complete net. 



lur 8. 



^ 4 tf 



This sort of net is used in shallow water; it is coiled up in the stern of a large 

 fishing-boat in two equal portions, each resting on small rafts, generally made of the 

 dried stalks of reeds bound together, but sometimes of wood. When the boat is in 

 position the rafts are floated out at the stern, one on each side, and the net, which 

 is attached to the boat by a strong cord, is payed out in a semicircle (see diagram, 

 hX 8, a). The top edge is kept about 8 inches above the water by boys with short 

 sticks, as the mullets, especially Bouri, are excellent jumpers, and the lower edge is kept 

 down by leads (PL D). When about half the net has been payed out, -several boats, 



