FISHERY KESOUECES OP THE PHILIPPINES, I. 523 



fathoms in length, and 20 to 25 fathoms in deiDtli wlien it is hung, it 

 being deeper in the center than at the extreme wings. The boat end of 

 one wing is from 1 to 10 fathoms deep; the other end varies from 7 to 

 15 fathoms. It is made of three kinds of twine. The baiUng-piece, 

 which is a section of the net oceup3dng about 10 to 12 fathoms along the 

 center of the cork line and having about the same depth as length, is 

 made of the stoutest twine. Beneath this, composing the remainder of 

 the middle of the seine and extending to the bottom of the net, is a 

 section knit of twine a size smaller. There is also a band of large twine, 

 15 meshes in depth, extending along the cork line of the seine on either 

 side of the bailing-piece to the extremity of each wing. The remainder 

 of the net is made of lighter twine. The lead and cork line are in the 

 same position as in ordinary seines. This net is operated by a series of 

 pursing ropes and rings, by means of which the bottom of the seine is 

 drawn up and closed. Formerly this net was taken out in fishing 

 schooners and when a shoal of fish was seen, it was placed in a seining 

 boat, the shoal was surrounded by the net, the latter at once pursed, the 

 vessel then brought alongside and the fish dipped out. Now, in some 

 cases, the net is carried on a revohing table at the stern of a small 

 steam-vessel or launch, and the surrounding of the shoal and pursing of 

 the net is all done quickly and efBciently by steam. Frequently more 

 fish are taken in this way than can be used in one day. In this event, 

 they are put into a "spiller" or pocket, which is a form of live-box made 

 of stout, coarse twine, and is attached to the side of the vessel, where it 

 is kept in position by wooden poles or outriggers extending 15 feet 

 from the vessel's side. This apparatus is nothing more than a big net 

 bag 36 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 30 feet deep. This size will hold 

 200 barrels of live mackerel, but of course the spiller may be constructed 

 of any dimensions. The purse net could probably be used with profit 

 in catching the various kinds of mackerel {viasangui, etc.) found in 

 Philippine waters. 



