244 MONOMYARIA.—AVICULAD. 
to admit a rope. Some of the divers use a stone 
shaped like a half-moon, which they fasten round 
the belly when they mean to descend, and thus 
keep their feet free. 
“These people are accustomed to dive from 
their very infancy, and fearlessly descend to the 
bottom in from four to ten fathoms water in search 
of the oysters. The diver, when he is about to 
plunge, seizes the rope to which one of the stones 
we have described is attached, with the toes of 
his right foot, while he takes hold of a bag of net- 
work with those of his left, it being customary 
among all the Indians to use their toes in working 
or holding as well as their fingers; as, such is the 
power of habit, they can pick up even the smallest 
thing from the ground with their toes almost as 
nimbly as a European could with his fingers. The 
diver, thus prepared, seizes another rope with his 
right hand, and holding his nostrils shut with the 
left, plunges into the water, and by the assistance 
of the stone speedily reaches the bottom. He then 
hangs the net round his neck, and, with much 
dexterity and all possible despatch, collects as 
many oysters as he can while he is able to remain 
under water, which is usually about two minutes ; 
he then resumes his former position, makes a signal 
to those above by pulling a rope in his night hand, 
and is immediately by this means drawn up and 
brought into the boat, leaving the stone to be 
pulled up afterwards by a rope attached to it.” 
The serious effects which so protracted a sub- 
mersion must produce upon the human frame, are 
manifested by a discharge of water from their 
mouths, ears, and nostrils, and frequently of blood. 
But this does not hinder them from gomg down 
