182 A NATURALIST IN THE GUIANAS 



one beast of prey only to fall a victim to the most destruc- 

 tive of all animals. We left the carcase where it was and 

 returned to the boat. 



During the ascent of the Kaya one of the boats filled 

 with water, wetting the cargo, and rendering many of the 

 articles useless. The river was actually swarming with 

 fish. As our boat had got through first, Isidor, while we 

 were awaiting the arrival of the others, exhibited his skill 

 in fish-spearing. Considering the rapidity of the current 

 his performance was a marvel of dexterity. The fishes 

 caught were all Morocotos and some of them were of quite 

 a respectable size. The Morocoto is one of the most 

 esteemed of fresh-water fish on the Orinoco and its 

 tributaries. It is not so plentiful on the lower reaches of 

 the Caura, where much fishing has been done, but above 

 the Indian settlement at Mura it is abundant. When 

 certain forest-trees are in fruit the Indians catch many 

 Morocotos with rod and line. The tackle used is of the 

 most primitive description, but it gives excellent results. 

 A strong green rod cut from some sapling on the river's 

 edge, about ten feet of coarse line, and a large hook — that 

 is all. A piece of fresh meat or bird-flesh serves as bait. 

 This fishing is done by two men, one at the bow who 

 casts the line, and one at the stern who paddles and 

 steers. The boat is allowed to drift with the current, 

 the paddle being used as a rule only for steering. Deep 

 pools close to the bank, especially where there are over- 

 hanging branches of the copaiba-tree in fruit, are the 

 best spots for casting. The bait is thrown with a splash 

 in front of the boat, and this is repeated every few seconds 

 until a fish is hooked. The Morocoto is a powerful and 

 plucky fish, and would afford capital sport with a regular 

 rod and reel. What more exciting sport could any 



