36 FISHES. 



monly with both, frequently striking their prey 

 with great dexterity. 



The fishermen often pursue their avocation by 

 night; sometimes in the dark, sometimes by moon- 

 light, but more usually by torch-light. Their 

 torches are either large bunches of dried reeds 

 firmly tied together, or else are made of the can- 

 dle-nut, which the natives use to light their 

 houses. 



These nocturnal fishing expeditions are des- 

 cribed as producing a most picturesque efiect. 

 Large parties of men proceed to the reef, when 

 the sea is comparatively smooth, and hunt the 

 Totara, or Hedgehog-fish, probably a species of 

 Diodon ; and it is a beautiful and interesting 

 spectacle, to behold a long line of reef illuminated 

 by the flaming torches, the light from which 

 glares redly upon the foaming surf without, and 

 the calm lagoon within. Each fisherman holds 

 his torch in his left hand high above his head, 

 while he poises his spear in his right, and stands 

 with statue-like stillness, watching the approach 

 of the fish. 



A similar mode of fishing is practised in the 

 rivers, and though the circumstances are difl'erent 

 the efi'ect is not inferior. "Few scenes," says 

 Mr. Ellis, " present a more striking and singular 

 efiect, than a band of natives walking along the 

 shallow parts of the rocky sides of a river, ele- 

 vating a torch with one hand and a spear in the 

 other ; while the glare of their torches is thrown 

 upon the overhanging boughs, and reflected from 

 the agitated surface of the stream. Their own 

 bronze-coloured, and lightly clothed forms, par- 

 tially illuminated, standing like figures in relief ; 



