116 Owen, on the Surface-fauna of Mid-ocean. 
weather^ is not all that is required. Nets should be made 
that will tow from even a steam-vessel, and thus be made to 
sweep the ocean-surface for several degrees at a time. By 
this course a satisfactory account may be given of our own 
and the neighbouring seas; and to such as take long sea 
voyages they will open out a vast field of interesting research. 
I will begin by describing a simple form of net, such as 
may be rigged out at a few hours' notice. A grummet should 
be made for the mouth, to which three cords may be attached 
to connect it with the towing-line ; that line should be a good 
stout piece of stuff, and capable of bearing a great strain. To 
the grummet should be attached, first, a bag, the upper part 
of which may be made of a thin canvas, the lower part of 
strong jean, ending in a piece of close calico or linen ; the 
bottom must be left open, and tied round with a tape when 
used : this will be found convenient for taking out the con- 
tents ; and by leaving it open and towing it so for a short 
time, it can be thoroughly washed. Over the whole an outer 
covering of the strongest sail-cloth should be put, the upper 
part, in like manner, attached to the grummet, the lower part 
left open, and a portion for a foot or eighteen inches of the 
seam left to be coarsely laced up with a piece of cord, the 
same being done for the bottom itself. If necessary, a third 
covering may be put between these of any strong but rather 
porous material ; but this, in its turn, should be left open at 
the bottom, and only tied when required for use. Its length 
should be so adjusted, when tied, that the inner lining of 
calico may rest against it, and be relieved from the strain. 
The outer sail-cloth should, in like manner, be laced up to 
receive and support the whole. 
For a net to be used when the vessel is under steam, or in 
heavy Aveather, the grummet may be three inches diameter 
in the clear. Any young nautical friend will explain how a 
grummet is made ; and the whole of the apparatus may be 
sown down from a foot below the mouth to near the bottom 
with two seams, making it into three tubes. This will be 
found to answer in every respect all that can be required of 
a net, even in the roughest weather. A piece of strong fine 
net may be arranged at the mouth ; this will prevent larger 
things from going to the bottom ; they can be at once taken 
out on getting the net on board. For the removal of the 
finer contents, it will be necessary to unloose the outer cover, 
untie and turn up the second, then the calico bag, containing 
what is wanted, can be untied, turned inside out, and care- 
fully washed into a bowl of salt water, where the material 
may. be passed throui>]i a sieve of coarse muslin. The larger 
