THE LAU-LAU. 195 



of the rivers of Guiana, it carries off both hook and 

 line. While we ascended the river Parime, we en- 

 camped one night at the head of a large cataract, 

 and Sororeng, one of the Indians who accompanied 

 me afterwards to London, went late in the evening 

 alone in a canoe, to try whether he could hook 

 some fish. We were all fast asleep, when I was 

 awakened by some person crying out for help, and 

 we soon ascertained that it was Sororeng, who had 

 hooked a lau-lau, and having got entangled in the 

 line, with neither knife nor other sharp instrument 

 at hand, the fish carried him and canoe at a rapid 

 rate towards the cataract. Armed with cutlasses, 

 we soon came to his assistance, and time enough 

 to prevent him from being carried down; but so 

 eager was he now to secure his prize, when he 

 saw that assistance was at hand, that he begged 

 us not to cut the line, although it had by this time 

 fairly cut into his hand, but to try to slay the mon- 

 ster, which apparently was more inclined to haul 

 the fisherman than the fisherman the fish. It was 

 slain, and when brought on the land, measured 

 eight feet and a half in length. 



" This fish, which is very numerous in the upper 

 part of the rivers, might afiord sustenance to many, 

 if its fishery were carried on with regularity to a 

 greater or less extent. The lau-lau, as already ob- 

 served, is delicious, both in the fresh state and when 

 dried ; the liver would furnish oil of excellent qua- 

 lity, and we have frequently used the air-bladder, 

 instead of isinglass, for glue." 



