ON A DEEP SEA TOW-NET, ETC. 103 
last piece (fig. 2, c.) is a quarter-inch thick and one inch 
broad, and is bevelled along its front margin, to diminish 
its resistance in passing through the water. At its middle 
is a ring (j.) by which the net can be dragged. About 
half way between this loop and the hinge is another small 
loop (W.) corresponding in position with similar ones (@., 7.) 
on the two halves of the net-frame. ‘These are connected 
by cords of such a length that when they are extended the 
frame stands at right angles to the towing-hoop (as in 
fig. 1). Hach half of the net-frame has also a loop in its 
centre (d., e.), which serves in the first place to prevent it 
from swinging right through the towing-hoop when it is 
closed. 
These two loops have, however, another function to 
discharge—a small rope, about a quarter-inch diameter, 
is attached to one of them and passed through the other 
(fig. 2, d., e.). It will be obvious that when the net is in 
the water and traction is made upon this cord the net will 
close, hence it will be termed in the sequel the “‘ closing 
cord; whereas if the pull be applied to the ring on the 
towing-hoop, the resistance of the water will cause the 
net to open, hence the rope or rod attached here may be 
termed the “opening cord.” 
In practice it is found advantageous to employ links of 
quarter-inch brass rod instead of cord for attaching the 
net, as they are not liable to twist and become entangled 
with one another when wet. The arrangement adopted 
is as follows :—The closing cord itself is just over two feet 
long, so that when the net is open its extremity projects a 
few inches beyond the loop in the net-frame (fig. 2, e.). 
To this extremity is attached a brass link (f.) two feet 
long, and at the other end of this is a loop of wire by 
which the net can be hooked into the lock (fig. 1,7.)._ To 
this succeed two other links (h., 7.) eighteen inches long, 
