nt head." Large
lobsters are said to always go to the top and small ones to the bottom
of the pots. By going to the top in the "old-head" pot large lobsters
made their escape through the hole, but in the pots with "patent
heads" instead of finding their way through the hole the big lobsters
slide over it. The "patent head" has not been used to any extent,
however. The sketch shown on the following page gives a good idea of
the difference in shape.

[Illustration: Old style of head (in general use) and "patent" head]

In the center of the ordinary pot is a sort of spearhead of wood or
iron from 8 to 12 inches long. This has one large barb and is set
upright in the middle of the center frame. The bait is placed on this
spearhead. Several large stones or bricks are lashed to the bottom of
the pot, on the inside, in order to furnish weight enough to hold the
pot at the bottom.

As it was noticed that a lobster generally crawled over a pot before
entering by the end, some pots of a square form and with the opening
at the top were constructed, but they were not successful.

Another variation had a length of 7-1/2 feet and five supporting
frames inside instead of three, as in the old pot. These were set at
equal distances apart, and had two more funnels than the other, one
funnel being attached to each of the frames except the center one,
and all pointing inward. In order to reach the bait the lobster had
to pass through two funnels, and its chances of escape were thereby
lessened. This style is rarely seen now.

Still another variety in vogue for a short time had a trapdoor, on
which the lobster had to climb in order to reach the bait; the door
then gave way and precipitated the lobster into a secure inclosure.

A few pots are made with a funnel of laths in place of the net
funnels. They are the same as the ordinary pot in every other
particular.

The ordinary pots cost about $1 to construct.

During certain seasons the pots are badly eaten by "worms," the
shipworm (Teredo) or one of the species of small boring crustaceans.
Pots are also frequently lost during stormy weather, and the fishermen
therefore have a reserve stock on hand in order to replace those lost
or temporarily disabled.

METHODS OF FISHING.

In fishing the traps are either set on single warps or on trawls of
8 to 40 and 50 pots. At first all pots were set singly. The line by
which they were lowered and hauled up, and which also served as