1840.] zoology. 339 



(4.) All the quadrupeds, except the rat, which, as in New- 

 Zealand, is considered game, are of the domestic kinds. Cattle, 

 hogs, and fowls, have been introduced by the whites, and thrive 

 very well. The first should, perhaps, be excepted from this 

 general remark : for, though the islands abound in excellent 

 pasturage, they do not appear to multiply very fast ; but this 

 is probably owing to the want of due attention, or the im- 

 proper selection of food. There are but few reptiles — lizards 

 and snakes being the most common ; the latter are often wor- 

 shipped as spirits. 



Numerous whales frequent the neighboring waters for three 

 or four months in the year ; their teeth are highly prized by 

 the natives, yet, notwithstanding their skilful seamanship, 

 they seem to be utterly ignorant of the mode of capturing 

 them, and only secure those which are driven on shore. 

 Hawk's-bill and green turtles are abundant ; and the tortoise 

 shell obtained from the former is one of the most valuable 

 articles of traffic to be procured in the islands : these animals 

 are caught in nets of sennit made of the husks of the cocoa- 

 nut, and are kept in pens. The average weight of the shell 

 is about fourteen pounds, and it is often stripped off without 

 killing the animal. Crustacea are in great abundance, and 

 the most delicious crabs are found among the mangrove 

 bushes. Shellfish of all kinds are obtained in plenty. The 

 conch shell is the native trumpet or horn. Other beautiful 

 varieties of shells, and especially the cyprcea ovula, are col- 

 lected in large quantities for decorating their canoes, the ridge 

 poles of their houses, and other ornamental work. Fish are 

 plentiful in the ocean, and in the rivers and streams; they 

 are speared, or taken with bone hooks or in nets of sennit; 

 and sometimes they are driven into pens formed of rocks and 

 stones in the shallow water, where they are easily speared or 

 caught by hand, or they are poisoned by throwing the stems 

 and leaves of the glycine, a climbing plant, into the water 

 where they abound. 



A green salt water worm, called balolo, is eaten by the 

 natives, and is considered quite a delicacy. But the biche de 



