THE OCEAN AS A SOURCE OF FOOD SUPPLY 183 



are only found adhering to the sides of sea-washed 

 caves inaccessible by land. These nests are, like the 

 sea-slug and the shark's fin, highly glutinous, and as 

 such are prized by the wealthy Chinese. In this 

 strange branch of the fisherman's trade a very large 

 number of the semi-savage but wholly nautical 

 denizens of those shores are constantly engaged, since 

 their more congenial occupations of piracy, slave- 

 raiding, and head-hunting have been effectually put a 

 stop to by the exertions of our watchful cruisers, much, 

 of course to the disgust of the artless Malays, Siamese, 

 and Dyaks, who cannot for the life of them understand 

 why these old-established customs of theirs should be 

 interfered with by a set of meddlesome strangers. 



But of fishing, pure and simple, there is exceed- 

 ingly little until we get to the Chinese coast, where, 

 for the first time since we left the shores of Europe 

 and North America, we find genuine fishermen de- 

 voting all their time and skill and industry to the 

 collection of the harvest of the sea. Of course, know- 

 ing what we do of the omnivorous habits of the 

 Chinese, who have extended their list of edibles much 

 farther than any other nation under heaven, we are 

 not, or should not, be surprised at this. At the same 

 time, it must be admitted that Nature has not been 

 as lavish to the Chinese in the matter of fish as she 

 has to more northern nations. The Chinese coasts 

 know no shoals of herring, or mackerel, or cod coming 

 periodically in their innumerable hosts to given points, 

 apparently for the sole purpose of being caught and 

 utilized for the food of man. No, the fish -supply of 

 China is scattered, diffuse ; and the Chinese fishermen 

 must put forward all his patience, energy, and skill 



