34 MEMOIR OF 



here ; but on Sunday they quitted the island, and 

 two days after, he notices that they " first took 

 dolphins with fis-gigs, or sharp arrow-headed or 

 bearded irons, fitted with poles of about ten 

 feet long, lead for the more convenient striking 

 them, and a rope or line tied to them to hold the 

 fis-gig, which is shot at them by the strength of 

 the hand, when they come within reach of 

 those waiting for them, usually on some of the 

 yardarms, backhead, or poop ; in which fishing, 

 the great matter seems to be, to allow for the 

 refraction of the water. They were laid in wait 

 for, not only so, but likewise with lines and 

 hooks, which were hung out, baited with rags, in 

 the shape of flying fish, and so adjusted as to 

 hang, sometimes to touch the water, at others not, 

 according to the waves, thereby imitating the 

 flying-fish, which the dolphins pursue with great 

 greediness. Dolphins are reckoned the swiftest 

 swimmers that are, their bodies being contrived 

 for that purpose. There is as much pleasure in 

 seeing them pursue the flying fish as in hunting 

 or hawking ; the flying-fish getting out of the 

 water, where the dolphins cannot pursue them." 

 They cooked one they had caught, which, Sloane 

 observes, " was dry, though pretty good victuals, 

 and well tasted ; the nearer the head the more it 

 is prized : although," he humorously adds, " I 

 am apt to think, that if this fish, so much com- 

 xnended bv sailors, were ashore in a market wWre 



