Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-06-11
Fishing Traps.

Among other exhibits in the Nation
al museum of fisheries, recently opened
in Washington. Is the model OF Greek
netting boat which, in all respects save,
one resembles the ordinary boats to be
found along our coasts, an1 that excep-
tiOn is a peculiar projection at the nose,
which is said to be the last vestige of
the ram which adorned the prows Of the
Roman triremes two thousand years
ago.
Every nation seems to have its marine
architecture represented. The lug-san-
ed boats from Scandinavia. the lateen
rigs of the Mediterranean. the unwieldy
junks of China, the rakish, piratical craft
of the Malay, are all exhibited; but the
masterpiece of the room Is model of
the three-masted schooner, Lizzie w.
Matthewson, of Provincetown, whose
graceful lines and beautiful proportions
elicit unqualified praise, and it was TO
this model that gold medal was given
at London, last year.
The ensemble of the larger room IS
perfect. The fishing nets, which hang
in graceful loops from the ceiling, the
life-siZe figures of the fishermen clad IN
the garments of their calling, and poised
in attitudes typical of various peculIari-
ties connected with their hazardous
trade, the plaster cast of the cuttle-tish.
with its spreading tentacles, looking like
huge spider suspended from man.
moth cobweb, together with many
other strange and grotesque objects, all
meet the eye at once, presenting novel
spectacle, which is greeted by exclama-
tions of surprise and pleasure.
In the cases arranged around the
room are found thousands of articles
representing the growth and extent of
this interest. Beginning with the rude
club of the savage, one can gradually
trace the successive steps of improve
ment up 10 the most complex traps of
civilized ingenuity. Hooks of stone.
wood, bone, and of wood and bone,
with the barbs fastened by winding
with the sinews of beasts, scarcely
wilder than the barbarian fisherman.
are shown in conjunction with the pro-
cess of making the steel hooks which
the boys use when they take their Sum
day fishing trips up the Potomac.
The rudely sculptured float of the
Alaskan Ind an can be contrasted with
tie brightly painted bob from the fac
tory of a Yankee manufacturer. Un-
couth stone knives of wonderful struc-
ture have ludicrous appearance IN
comparison with the cleaning steel
from a Massachusetts, cutlery. Artiti-
cIal flies Of thousand delicate shades,
filmy shells and shimmering spoon
hooks, recall to the angler hours passed
in casting for the greedy bass or troll
ing for the lively pickerel.
In another case is the collection of
reels, and the spectator can almost hear
the familiar click, click Of the snap as
the line is drawn by the frightened and
struggling fish. On a large drum COW
cred with a beautiful shade Of blue
plush is arranged the collection of fish
ing rods, from the eight and ten ounce
split bamboo. bass and trout fly rods to
the heavy grades used in capturing the
gamey salmon.
American workmen excel the world
In the manufacture of fishing rods, and
since the London exhibition the export
trade in this branch has been multiplied
several times. The superiority of
American rods consists in the combiua-
ton of lightneSs and fiexibility with
tenacity and strength, and in the inter-
national contest our representative not
only made the longest cast, but the llies
were never snapped from his lines,
although the contestants lost many.
Turning from the implements of the
angler one notices the nets and traps of
the fishermen who find not merely sport
but livelihood in the capture of the fish
A net made of human hair, from the
Feejee Islands, is exhibited, but 1t is
not stated whether the hair is from the
head of a missionary or not. Nets OF
the most delicate workmanship, from
Japan and Che far East. are shown.
The primitive traps Of the aborigine
and the intricate inventions of civlllZa-
tion can be seen.