FISHING 123 



their loads were thrown down and everyone darted 

 into the water with sticks and stones and shouts and 

 as much enthusiasm as if the fish had been sahnon 

 and a full meal for ever3^one. 



There is another method of fishing which was observed 

 by the navigator, Captain Dampier, in use by the natives 

 of this region. It is so remaikable that, although we 

 did not see it employed by the people of the Mimika 

 district, I shall make no excuse for repeating it here : — 



" They strike Fish very ingeniously with Wooden 

 " Fiss-gigs and have a very ingenious way of making 

 ** the Fish rise : For they have a piece of Wood curiously 

 " carv'd and painted much like a Dolphin (and perhaps 

 " other Figures ;) these they let down into the Water 

 " by a Line with a small weight to sink it ; when they 

 " think it low enough, they haul the Line into their 

 *' Boats very fast, and the Fish rise up after this Figure ; 

 *' and they stand ready to strike them when they are 

 " near the Surface of the Water." * 



There are times when the natives get more fish 

 than they know what to do with, and other times when 

 no fish can be caught ; but they have no idea of laying 

 up a store for the lean times. It is true that they char 

 some in the fire and keep them for a few days before 

 the fish putrify, but if they learnt to smoke some of their 

 surplus supply, they need never go hungry. 



* A Continuation of a Voyage to New Holland, etc., in the year 1699, 

 by Captain William Dampier. 



