NOTES ON FISHING METHODS OF THE SOUTH SEAS. 795 
The spear is used in capturing fish on the reefs. Its pole is 8 to 10 
feet long, to which is fastened a single iron prong with a barb at the 
extreme end. Wooden spears have long since been discarded. 
Wickerwork fish-traps are set on the reef near the village and on dis- 
tant fishing-grounds among the islands forming the atoll. These traps 
are made in a sort of network fashion, the openings 24 inches long by 
three-fourths inch wide. Size of trap, 60 inches long on top by 50 inches 
on bottom; front end slanting considerably, back end slightly. Front 
end 38 inches wide and 12 inches deep; depth measured on the slant. 
Rear end 35 inches wide and 19 inches deep. Mouth of funnel or lead 
114 inches across by 84 inches deep, carrying its size inside for about 
afoot, then gradually tapering, ending almost ina point. As the open- 
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- Fish-trap, Funafuti. 
ing is at the extreme end and on the underneath side, there is very 
little chance of a fish making its escape when once in the trap. A pole 
runs lengthwise through the top part of the trap, from which the inner 
end of the lead is suspended. In the rear end is the door from which 
the fish are taken. Traps are baited with fish hung near the end of 
the lead, the bait being plainly seen from the outside. They are set in 
depths of 5 to 20 fathoms, and at distances from the village varying 
from 2 to 10 miles. They are not lifted for several days. 
Coral reefs and shoals are numerous off the islands in the lagoon 
and on the rim of the atoll; to these the natives repair for hand-line 
fishing. Flying-fish, in their season, appear in considerable numbers; 
also gar-fish and bonito. Unfortunately we saw no fishing by the 
natives, except as previously mentioned. Torching for flying-fish is 
one of the favorite sports. The fish are attracted to the canoes by the 
