Chapter XV: Appendix: D

ON NETTING.

MANUFACTURE AND USE OF NETS BY THE ANCIENTS--ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES, ETC.

Nets were made of Flax, Hemp, and Broom--General terms for nets--Nets used for catching birds--Mode of snaring--Hunting-nets--Method of hunting--Hunting-nets supported by forked stakes--Manner of fixing them--Purse-net or tunnel-net--Homer’s testimony--Nets used by the Persians in lion-hunting--Hunting with nets practised by the ancient Egyptians--Method of hunting--Depth of nets for this purpose--Description of the purse-net--Road-net--Hallier--Dyed feathers used to scare the prey--Casting-net--Manner of throwing by the Arabs--Cyrus king of Persia--His fable of the piper and the fishes--Fishing-nets--Casting-net used by the Apostles--Landing-net (Scap-net)--The Sean--Its length and depth--Modern use of the Sean--Method of fishing with the Sean practised by the Arabians and ancient Egyptians--Corks and leads--Figurative application of the Sean--Curious method of capturing an enemy practised by the Persians--Nets used in India to catch tortoises--Bag-nets and small purse-nets--Novel scent-bag of Verres the Sicilian prætor 436

LIST OF PLATES.

I. Frontispiece--Chinese Looms. _to face page_

II. Egyptian Looms, with the Processes of Spinning and Winding, 93

III. Silk Worm, Cocoons, Chrysalis, Moths, and Pinna 118

IV. Spiders, with the Processes of Spinning and Weaving 172

V. Indian Loom, with the Process of Winding off the Thread 315

VI. Egyptian Flax-gathering. Magnified Fibres of Flax and Cotton 359

VII. Map, showing the Divisions of the Ancient World, coloured
according to the Raw Materials principally produced in them
for Weaving 400

VIII. Caps worn by Cynic Philosopher, Vulcan, Dædalus, Ulysses,
and a Desultor. Caps worn by Modern Greek Boy and Fisherman.
Mysian Cap or Phrygian Bonnet. Coins in the British Museum 415

IX. Statue of Endymion. Hats worn by Shepherds and Athenian
Ephebi. Coins in the British Museum 434

X. Hunting-scenes in bas-reliefs at Ince-Blundell. Egyptians
with the Drag-Net 464

PART FIRST.

ANCIENT HISTORY OF SILK.