108 CONCHOLCGIST’S COMPANION. 
throughout the whole fleet; each diver then rapidly 
ascends, and the boats return to Condatchy, whence 
they seldom venture out during the day to recom- 
mence the business of fishing. 
In order to facilitate the descent of the divers, the 
boats are separately furnished with five large per- 
forated stones, round at the top and bottom. These 
are fixed to different ropes; and each diver, when 
about to plunge, seizes one of them with the 
toes of his right foot; while with the other he 
suspends a bag of net work; for these people are 
so extremely dexterous in the use of their feet, 
that they employ them, as well as their hands, for 
the most common purposes, and sometimes pick up 
the smallest stones or straws from off the ground. 
The diver then takes hold of another rope in his 
right hand; and endeavours with the other to pre- 
vent the water from entering his nostrils, while he 
plunges into the sea, and speedily reaches the bottom ; 
where he is eagerly occupied in tearing up the shells, 
and cramming them into his bag, which he sus- 
pends around his neck, and in running from side to 
side, in order to render the water turbid, and to elude 
the vigilance of his marine foes. 
As soon as the bag is full, or the appearance of any 
danger warns the diver to retreat, he resumes his 
position, makes a signal to those above, by pulling 
the rope in his right hand, and immediately ascends. 
