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THE GEELONG NATURALIST. 
DREDGING. 
By A. B. F. WILSON. 
We wonder how many of our members have any conception of the 
pleasure which our title recalls to mind. ; 1 y 
Those who are practically acquaint d with dredging will agree 
with me that it is a most fascinating pleasure, and one which is full 
of eager anticipations. d $ 
To many people the name of dredge is unknown; 118, so to speak, 
the key which unlocks * Nature's darkest mysteries, ' and fills the 
naturalist with wonder and admiration, at the revelation of the 
secluded life and beauties of the deep. To those who are not 
acquainted with the instrument, perhaps a brief description may not 
be out of place; the one I have in use is made after a pattern kindly 
supplied to me by Mr G. H. Adcock, F.L.S. and gives great 
satisfaction. k i 
The frame is made of cast iron, length 2 feet, by 9 inches wide, 
the sides and ends are about the width of an ordinary hoe, and 
shaped somewhat similar, onthe inner edge, and around the frame 
there are small holes to permit of different size nets being laced on, 
this is essential in dredging operations. There are two iron handles on 
each side of the frame, loop holed ; the hauling line is run through 
one of these, and fastened to the side of the frame, the handle 
is then brought over and lightly tied to the other; this is a capital 
idea; should the instrument get fast in, or upon a rock, with an 
extra pull the string breaks, the handles part and the dredge frees 
itself, doing away with the necessity of “bout ship.” 
It will be readily understood, that the dredge made as described 
would not only rake any ground over which it might be dragged, but 
colleet everything lying in its course, within the meshes of its nel; 
it is well called “ the Naturalist’s best friend and the Molluse’s worst 
foe.” The dredge enables us to penetrate recesses which no tide 
uncovers, and to drag the most retiring organisms from their 
otherwise inaccessible hiding places. 
Having roughly described the dredge, we will assume it is now 
perfectly understood; all that is required now for operations is— 
genial company—a well found boat, lenses and stock jars, and a 
favourable breeze—this we had on February 12th, 1896. In 
company with a friend (Mr Grey) and my son—we left our moorings 
at 9.30 a.m. for a day's dredging in Corio Bay. Steering our course 
N.W., the wind blowing fresh from S., when well out and opposite 
North Shore we let go the dredge in 5 fathoms of water—our 
skipper, (Mr Grey) then altered our course to N.E. by E. bringing 
us towards the Old Ship Channel. Finding we were losing deep water 
and having dragged for some distance, the boat was brought up to 
the wind, and the anchor let go. 
Now our anticipations ran high as we commenced to haul in 
the dredge line as to what treasures would be brought to the surface ; 
