Chap, xviii.] NATIVE CANOES. 403 



row of a dozen or so being fastened on either side. A 

 horizontal outrigger extends from the middle of the canoe on 

 one side, and is connected with a long canoe-shaped float, and 

 opposite to it is an inclined shelf or deck supported on two 

 or three stout projecting beams. A platform is formed with 

 planks on the horizontal outrigger, and on the outer part of 

 this a large store of spears and the mast and sails are kept. 

 On the inner part the natives sit when not paddling, and stow 

 on it some of their gear, food and articles for barter, but most 

 of these are kept on the inclined platform, where also some 

 of the crew often sit. The canoes are from 30 to 40 feet in 

 length. 



The sail is nearly square in form. It is hoisted to the top 

 of the mast, and set so that one corner is uppermost. The 

 opposite corner does not nearly reach down to the canoe, 

 hence the square sail being high above the water has a very 

 peculiar look when seen over the sea at a distance. As at all 

 Pacific islands, apparently the outrigger platform is the place 

 of honour, and the seat of the head-man or chief. Oto, the 

 chief of Wild Island, never occupied any other position, and 

 never touched a paddle. 



Small canoes with single outriggers, holding one or two 

 persons, are used for paddling about the reefs round the 

 islands. The large canoes are manned by from 10 to 15 

 men. 



The natives swim hand over hand. They never take a 

 header in diving, but jump in after anything upright, sinking 

 feet first with the body inclined forwards. 



Long sein-like nets are used for fishing. These nets are 

 probably the property of a community, for they are kept hung 

 up in the temples. I saw one about a fathom in depth and of 

 very considerable length. Hand nets fixed on elbow-shaped 

 frames of wood are also used. Stake nets are used, and lines 

 of stakes are conspicuous objects just off the shore near the 

 villages. 



Fish-hooks are used made of Trochus shell, all in one piece. 

 They are of a simple hooked form without barb. The natives 

 did not seem to care for steel fish-hooks, and apparently did 

 not, at first at least, understand their use. It is possible that 

 they have never found out the plan of using bait on a hook. 

 All Polynesian and Melanesian fish-hooks which I have seen 

 are of the nature of artificial baits of bright nacre, imitating 

 small fry in the water. If the natives did not understand the 

 use of baits, it is no wonder that they despised European 

 fish-hooks. 



The tool in most constant use by the natives is a small adze, 



