GORGES VERSUS HOOKS 33 



time the hook supersedes the gorge, to which it is superior in 

 several respects, not least in ease and speed of extraction from 

 a fish when landed. 



Small bone rods tapering towards both ends, and sometimes 

 grooved in the middle probably for attachment of a line, form 

 the gorges of the Caves, Their descendants or kinsmen found 

 all the world over vary in shape and material. But whether 

 fashioned of bone, or flake of flint, or of turtle-shell, with cocoa 

 nut used as trimmers, whether straight or curved at the ends, 

 the purpose and operation of one and all is the same — to be 

 swallowed (buried in bait) by the fish end first. The tightening 

 of the line soon alters this position into one crosswise in the 

 stomach or gullet. Even at the present time in some parts 

 of England the needle, buried in a worm when " sniggling " 

 for eels, works successfully in similar fashion. 



It is not possible here to discuss fully the various materials 

 and shapes of the first Hook proper. This (according to my 

 view) Neolithic, certainly post-Palaeohthic, 1 creation developed 

 doubtless from the over-education of fish, a complaint possibly 

 as rife then as in our own day. 



No writer, despite zealous endeavours, has succeeded in 

 determining which material — stone (rarely found), bone, shell, 

 or thorn 2 — was first employed for the purpose. On that which 

 lay readiest would probably be essayed the prentice hand of 

 each particular race. To dwellers near the shore the large 

 supply and easy adaptability of shells would of a surety appeal. 

 These could be fashioned so as to be used alone, or lashed 

 with fibre to a piece of wood or bone so as to form the bend, 

 while the wood or bone constituted the shank of the hook.3 



^ Sanchouniathon, as translated by Philo of Byblus, ap. Euseb., Praep. Ev. 

 i. 10, 9, in what purports to be a Phoenician account, would bring the invention 

 right down to the Iron Age. " Many generations later Agreus and Halieus 

 sprang from the stock of Hypsouranios. They were the discoverers of hunting 

 and fishing, hunters and fishers being called after them. From these in turn 

 sprang two brothers, inventors of iron and iron-working. One of these 

 brothers, Chrysor, practised spells and charms and oracles. He is Hephaistos, 

 and he it is who invented hook and bait and line and boat, being the first of 

 all men to set sail. Wherefore also they worshipped him as a god after his 

 death, and named him Zeus Meilfchios." 



2 E. Krause, op. cit., 208, holds that the most primitive hook was made of 

 wood : bind a thorn or sprig crossways and your hook is to hand. 



» H. T, Sheringham holds that both early and recent specimens of Fijian 



