The Sportsman | Page 6

falling short of the power he possesses.
What are the aids and implements of divers sorts with which he who
would enter on this field must equip himself? These and the theory of
each in particular I will now explain. With a view to success in the
work, forewarned is forearmed. Nor let such details be looked upon as
insignificant. Without them there will be an end to practical results.[1]

[1] Or, "The question suggests itself--how many instruments and of
what sort are required by any one wishing to enter this field? A list of
these I propose to give, not omitting the theoretical side of the matter in
each case, so that whoever lays his hand to this work may have some
knowledge to go upon. It would be a mistake to regard these details as
trivial. In fact, without them the undertaking might as well be let
alone."
The net-keeper should be a man with a real passion for the work, and in
tongue a Hellene, about twenty years of age, of wiry build, agile at
once and strong, with pluck enough to overcome the toils imposed on
him,[2] and to take pleasure in the work.
[2] {toutous}, "by this, that, or the other good quality."
The ordinary small nets should be made of fine Phasian or
Carthaginian[3] flax, and so too should the road nets and the larger
hayes.[4] These small nets should be nine-threaded [made of three
strandes, and each strand of three threads],[5] five spans[6] in depth,[7]
and two palms[8] at the nooses or pockets.[9] There should be no knots
in the cords that run round, which should be so inserted as to run quite
smoothly.[10] The road net should be twelve-threaded, and the larger
net (or haye) sixteen. They may be of different sizes, the former
varying from twelve to twenty-four or thirty feet, the latter from sixty
to one hundred and twenty or one hundred and eighty feet.[11] If larger
they will be unwieldy and hard to manage. Both should be
thirty-knotted, and the interval of the nooses the same as in the ordinary
small nets. At the elbow ends[12] the road net should be furnished with
nipples[13] (or eyes), and the larger sort (the haye) with rings, and both
alike with a running line of twisted cord. The pronged stakes[14] for
the small nets should be ten palms high,[15] as a rule, but there should
be some shorter ones besides; those of unequal length will be
convenient to equalise the height on uneven ground, and those of equal
length on level. They should be sharp-tipped so as to draw out
easily[16] and smooth throughout. Those for the road nets should be
twice the height,[17] and those for the big (haye) nets five spans
long,[18] with small forks, the notches not deep; they should be stout
and solid, of a thickness proportionate to their length. The number of
props needed for the nets will vary--many or few, according to
circumstances; a less number if the tension on the net be great, and a

larger number when the nets are slack.[19]
[3] Phasian or Carchedonian. Cf. Pollux, v. 26.
[4] {arkus, enodia, diktua}.
[5] [L. Dind. brackets.] See Pollux, v. 27, ap. Schn.
[6] {spithame}, a span (dodrans) = 7 1/2 inches. Herod. ii. 106;
{trispithamos}, Hes. "Op." 424; Plat. "Alc." i. 126 C; Aristot. "H. A."
viii. 28. 5; Polyb. v. 3-6.
[7] {to megethos}.
[8] Or, "eight fingers' breadth +" = 6 inches +. {palaiste} or {palaste}, a
palm or four fingers' breadth = 3 inches +.
[9] {tous brokhous}, a purse or tunnel arrangement with slip loop.
[10] Reading {upheisthosan de oi peridromoi anammatoi}. Lit. "the
cords that run round should be inserted without knots." See Pollux, v.
28 foll.
[11] Lit. "2, 4, 5 fathoms; 10, 20, 30 fathoms."
[12] {akroleniois}, elbows, Pollux, v. 29; al. {akroliniois}, L. & S., "on
the edges or borders."
[13] {mastous}, al. "tufts."
[14] {skhalides}, forks or net props. Cf. Pollux, v. 19. 31.
[15] i.e. 30 + inches = 2 1/2 + ft., say 36 inches = 3 ft.
[16] {euperispastoi ta akra}, al. "they should be made so that the nets
can be fitted on and off easily, with sharp points"; or "off the points
easily."
[17] {siplasiai}, i.e. 20 palms = 60 + inches, say 72, or 6 ft.
[18] {pentespithamoi}, i.e. 5 x 7 1/2 inches = 37 1/2 inches = 3 ft. 1 1/2
inch; al. 5 x 9 inches = 45 inches = 3 ft. 9 inches.
[19] Or, "if in the particular position the nets are taut, a larger if they lie
slack."
Lastly, for the purpose of carrying the nets and hayes, for either sort[20]
there must be a bag of calf-skin; and billhooks to cut down branches