this framework is made of stout twine, and diminishes in its diameter regularly like a funnel; the point, which may be about twelve feet from the mouth, is left open, as it is lashed round with a piece of line when in use. The chief peculiarity is, that the knitting is so managed that the size of the meshes diminishes evenly, as well as the-diameter of the net, till at the point they are very small and close. The reason of this will be seen presently.
The Roman poet admonishes us that different localities produce different prey, and require different implements.
"Nec tamen in medias pelagi te pergere sedes
Admoneam, vastique maris tentare profundum.
Inter utrumque loci melius moderabere funem,
Aspera num saxis loca sint; nam talia lentos
Deposcunt calamos; at purum retia littus.
Num mons horrentes demittat celsior umbras
In mare. Nam varie quidam fugiuntque petuntque.
Nam vada subnatis imo viridentur ab herbis.
*****
Objectetque moras, et molli serviat algæ".
Which may be thus freely "done into English."
When you the dredge would use, go not away
Far out to sea. Mind that your haul be made
According to your bottom. Where the ground
Is foul and ledgy, be content to fish
With hook and line. But where upon the sea
The morning sun casts shadows deep and long
From lofty Whitenose,—over with your dredge.
Where 'neath your keel the verdant sea-grass waves,
[The keer-drag try for nudibranchs and wrasse.
Should all these prove distasteful, on the shore]
For spring-tide patient wait, and overhaul the weeds.
Before we ran down to our dredging ground, my master of the ceremonies proposed, in accordance
