2l8 



RENNELL - AN OUT OF THE WAY CORAL ISLAND 



Three home-made fishing-nets for 

 catching flying-fish by light; exactly 

 the same method as used on board the 

 Galathea (see page 68) . 



In the forest we caught three specimens of a large green-speckled 

 monitor (a giant lizard), which, after thoroughly scratching and biting 

 us, was manouevred into a jar of ether. There were many smaller lizards, 

 and ■ — ably assisted by the fleet-footed Rennellese — we obtained a fairly 

 large collection of them. It is essential when comparing the fauna of an 

 island or other restricted territory with that of neighbouring islands or terri- 

 tories to procure a series from every species. This is the only way of judging 

 with any degree of certainty whether small structural differences between 

 closely related species are constant or adventitious. 



We also procured a number of amusing geckoes, which were to be 

 seen darting about under hut roofs catching insects. Our haul of snakes 

 included a strapping boa nearly two metres long. With a good deal of trouble 

 we succeeded in tying it to a long pole, this being the only way of getting 

 it alive to the village, where a strong dose of ether put an end to its life. 

 We also found a species of the primitive blindworms, which live a very 

 secluded life, and which incidentally are characteristic of a number of 

 isolated islands. 



One of our most interesting finds was a sea snake, caught in the lake. The 

 small group of snakes which live in the sea has been discussed in an 

 earlier chapter. One species of these was trapped in the salt-water lagoon 



