INTRODCUTION. 109 



Tlie Indians, witli their families, undertake large 

 fishing expeditions to those which they know to be 

 well stocked with fish ; and after their outlets have 

 been partly barricaded, they erect their temporary 

 huts and commence fishing with the line or with 

 bow and arrows. If they are successful, a small 

 triangular or square stage is erected. Should a 

 laulau have been caught, then a square and large 

 harhacot is sure to be erected, and the Indian, 

 always willing to spare himself trouble where he 

 can, seeks until he finds two trees which are just 

 apart enough to serve in lieu of poles 



The women have been meanwhile occupied in 

 collecting dry wood ; and after the fish has been 

 washed and cleaned, and cut in pieces if it be a 

 large one, it is put upon the grating and the wood 

 lighted below it. The smoke acts as pyroligneous 

 acid upon the fish ; and this method is more efiPec- 

 tual than if the fish had been simply moistened 

 wuth the acid, as it combines the complete exsiccation 

 of the animal substance with the eficct of the pyro- 

 ligneous acid. The fish thus prepared keeps for 

 several days ; nay, if it be well smoked, for weeks. 

 Meat of feathered or other game is smoked in the 

 same manner, and keeps for a longer period. The 

 smoking ought to be, however, repeated after a 

 certain lapse of time. 



But the most efi'ective mode of fishing is to poi- 

 son the water with hai-ari^ the root of a leguminous 

 plant (Jonchocarpus)^ a climber, with a bluish papi- 

 lionaceous flower. The root is about three inches 



