RED OR PBECWUS CORAL. 13 



Each boat is provided with an apparatus or engine formed of 

 a cross of wood, a metre long in the smaller, and two metres in 

 the larger. Sometimes an iron centre is used with sockets for 

 the arms. The latter are made of stout wood, and in the centre 

 (when no iron is present) is a large stone, while a series of 

 tangles made of hempen ropes and pieces of net are attached to 

 the cross. The tangles are about a yard or more in length, and, 

 in the larger boats, from twenty-eight to thirty in number. 

 Under the central stone is often a circlet of six or eight tangles, 

 which the fishermen call " the tail of Purgatory." The main 

 rope passes from the centre of the cross, and is protected from 

 friction by a sheath of lashing, and shorter ropes connect the 

 beams to the central one so as to increase the strength of the 

 apparatus.* The Spaniards use a perforated iron instrument 

 with teeth, and a bag of net to entangle the coral, but no special 

 advantage is gained. 



When the captain thinks the ground is suitable he launches 

 the engine, the sails (lateen and jib) are trimmed, and the capstan 

 put in action. The cross of wood fixes on rocks and stones, 

 breaking off the coral and overturning the latter. Pulled on by 

 the rope it advances by jerks, the horizontal action of the sails 

 being combined with the vertical action of the capstan. Now it 

 may be necessary to give more rope or reverse the action of the 

 boat and capstan, and again proceed, all being done under the 

 orders of the captain, who is the stern and inflexible master of 

 the toilsome pursuit. As the huge stones are overturned and 

 the corals broken off, the tangles pick up the loose pieces, 

 besides starfishes, fin-shells or sea-wings (Pinna), lamp-shells, 

 and other invertebrates. 



The fishermen engaged in this arduous work are naked, with 

 the exception of drawers. When busy they chant various songs, 

 often including the names of their favourite saints, swaying 

 their heads and bodies to the song, and straining every muscle 

 at their exhausting work. The work of these men thus resembles 

 in some respects that of the eager trawlers in our waters. 



Should the engine become fixed and resist all efforts to dis- 

 engage it, an iron ring is sent down on the main rope to free 



* Vide a figiire on the covers of the ' Kesources of the Sea,' 1899. This 

 was sketched from the apparatus exhibited in the London 4 Fisheries ' Exhibi- 

 tion of 1883. 



