NOTES ON FISHING METHODS OF THE SOUTH SEAS. 785 
NAMUKA. 
This is a small island belonging to the Tonga group, about 58 miles 
north of Nukualofa. The Albatross arrived here December 2 and 
anchored 2 miles off the village. No collecting was done on Namuka, 
but a landing was made on an islet not far from our anchorage, where 
we found fairly good beaches for hauling a seine. A reef surrounds 
the islet, and between its inner edge and the shore is a level stretch 
covered with coral sand. It makes off from the shore quite steep for 
about 30 feet, then continues level fully 100 feet, terminating in a 
fringe of old coral, on the outside of which commences a growth of 
live coral. 
Nine hauls were made with the seine along the beach. The result 
was a few half-beaks, crabs, a small flounder, and a variety of coral 
fishes. The water was exceptionally clear, which, in all cases, is 
against successful results. There was a scarcity of life on the reef 
and in consequence a very small collection was obtained. In a hut 
were four natives, they having come across from Namuka the evening 
before to fish on the reef. They had taken one fish, which they were 
eating at the time we met them. A number of small seines were 
hanging in the trees in front of the hut; they were machine-knit and 
require no special mention. 
The canoes belonging to the natives were about the same as those 
we saw at Nukualofa, except that they were decked over forward and 
aft; the deck was made of tops and sides of boxes. 
A wire trap was set on the reef, in which a hermit crab was taken. 
Hand lines over the ship’s side-caught nothing. 
VAVAU. 
A run of 110 miles in a north and easterly direction brought the 
Albatross to Vavau, the last island visited in the Tonga group, where 
we remained part of two days, anchored off Neiafu. 
While Vavau in most parts is rugged and precipitous, with prom- 
ontories projecting into the sea, yet in the harbor of Neiafu was found 
the best beach for seining since leaving Nukuhiva, Marquesas Islands. 
This beach lies about a mile from the village; it makes off to a point 
and is very smooth, being composed of fine coral, sand, and mud. In 
all other parts of the harbor within 3 or 4 miles of the village the 
shore is very steep, and in the few places where small beaches appear 
they are strewn with masses of broken coral. 
It was stated that the natives do but little fishing in the harbor, the 
water being too deep. At one time dynamite was used in capturing 
fish. Fora number of years its use has been prohibited, since which 
time fishing has been performed by simple methods. 
On the beach above mentioned the seine took 350 fish in number, 
among which were half-beaks (two species), mullet, and many small fry; 
F, C. 1901—50 
