t round turn and under the first (Fig. 35).

[Illustration: Fig. 35.]

(15). +A Blackwall Hitch+ is a quick way of temporarily securing a
rope to a hook. As will be seen from the illustration (Fig. 36) it
consists of a half hitch, the standing part _a_ as soon as it receives
the strain jamming {18} the end part _c_. It holds much more firmly
than would be imagined at first sight. By taking another round turn at
_b_ before passing the end _c_ under _a_, it will hold more securely.

[Illustration: Fig. 36.]

(17). +A Midshipman's Hitch+ is sometimes used instead of a Blackwall
hitch, and will hold better if the rope is at all greasy. It is made
by first forming a Blackwall hitch and then taking the underneath part
and placing it over the bill of the hook (Fig. 37).

[Illustration: Fig. 37.]

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(18). +A Double Blackwall Hitch+ is made by taking the bight of the
rope and placing it across the neck of the strop of the block, crossing
it behind, then placing the under part over the hook and crossing the
upper part on top of it (Fig. 38). It holds better than either of the
two preceding hitches.

[Illustration: Fig. 38.]

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KNOTS, Etc., MADE ON THE BIGHT OF A ROPE, THAT IS, WITHOUT UTILISING
THE ENDS.

(1). +A Bowline on the Bight+--Using both parts of the rope together,
commence as in making an ordinary bowline (Fig. 39). To finish off,
open out bight _c_, and taking it in the direction indicated by the
dotted line, pass the whole knot through it and haul taut, when it will
appear as in Fig. 40.

[Illustration: Fig. 39. Fig. 40.]

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(2). +A Marline-Spike Hitch+ is used for getting a purchase with a
marline-spike, capstan bar, etc., when putting on a seizing or lashing.
By Fig. 41 it will be seen to consist of the standing part picked
through a loop laid over it, so that the spike lies under the standing
part and over the sides of the loop.

[Illustration: Fig. 41.]

(3). +A Sheep Shank+ is used for shortening a rope. Gather up the
amount desired in the form of Fig. 42.

[Illustration: Fig. 42.]

Then with parts _a_ and _b_ form a half hitch round the two parts of
the bight as in Fig. 43.

[Illustration: Fig. 43.]

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To render it still more dependable, the bight _a_ and _b_ may be seized
or toggled to the standing parts as in Figs. 44 and 45.

[Illustration: Fig. 44. Fig. 45.]

(4). +A Catspaw+ is formed in a rope to make a temporary loop for
hooking on th