A CAVERN AND ITS LEGEND 271 



when the fish become helpless. They die if left in water 

 so impregnated ; while the effects of the Derris scandens 

 is merely temporarily soporific. How blacks became 

 acquainted with this process of speedily extracting the 

 toxic principle of the Faradaya, and as speedily dissipating 

 it, is unknown. One generation passes on the knowledge 

 to the other without explanation, and it is accepted as a 

 matter of course, without comment or inquiry. 



A CAVERN AND ITS LEGEND 



Caves and caverns in the rocks and the tops of the moun- 

 tains are not favourite resorts of blacks. According to them 

 nearly every mountain has its mysterious lagoon, which 

 none but old men have visited, but which teems with fish 

 and waterfowl. When direct inquiries are made as to the 

 precise locality of any particular lagoon, invariably incon- 

 clusive evidence is tendered. " Old man, he bin see 'em " ; 

 and, the old man is never forthcoming for cross-examina- 

 tion. The origin of the romance, no doubt, is to be 

 attributed to the desire of the blacks to account to them- 

 selves for the water which glitters on the face of the rocks far 

 up the mountains. One boy gave an exceptionally graphic 

 description of a lagoon on the top of one of the highest 

 peaks of Hinchinbrook Island, in which all manner of sea 

 fish revelled. When doubt was expressed as to the possi- 

 bility of sea- water and sea-fish getting up so far " on top " 

 and it was suggested "What you think, that old man 

 humbug you ? " " Yes," was the ready response ; " me think 

 that old fella no tell true. Him humbug." Some blacks 

 possess something wiser than knowledge. 



On the northern aspect of Dunk Island, where the sea 

 swirls about the buttresses of the hills, there is a cavern 

 only approachable by boat. The mouth is overhung by 

 vines and ferns, and through the moss which covers the 

 lintel water trickles and splashes with pleasant sound. 

 When the bronze orchid lavishly decorates the rocks with 



