118 
ACANTHOPTERYGII. SCOMBRID^. 
means of corks along the top, and weights along 
the bottom: these are moored with anchors so 
as to form an enclosure parallel to the shore, hut 
at some distance from it, extending sometimes to 
the length of a mile. The long narrow enclosure 
is then formed into chambers, by means of cross 
nets hung from side to side in a similar manner, 
but all communicating with each other by narrow 
openings, or, as we may call them, doors. About 
the middle of the line a net is hung transversely 
from the inner side reaching to the shore, and 
thus closing the passage. 
It is the habit of the Tunnies to swim very 
close to the land ; therefore, when in their rovings 
they come to this part of the coast, they pass 
between the nets and the shore, until they find 
their further way stopped by the long net last 
mentioned, hanging right across their course. 
Ranging along by its side in the seaward direc- 
tion, they find the opening leading into the first 
chamber of the enclosure ; they enter it, and find 
themselves surrounded by nets, except at one 
point, through which they enter into the second 
chamber. Precautions are taken to prevent their 
return, and they are driven from one compart- 
ment to another, until they reach the last, which 
is called the chamber of death. Beneath this, 
near the bottom, there is a net stretched hori- 
zontally, which can be elevated to any level at 
pleasure. The fishermen, having assembled in 
boats, bring the Tunnies, by means of this hori- 
zontal net, to the surface, and the slaughter com- 
mences. The fishes are killed with poles, boat- 
hooks, and similar weapons. 
The whole proceeding forms an imposing spec- 
