BLACKS AS FISHERMEN 195 



support the theory. The shape of the tendril is all that 

 can be said in its favour. It is neither sharp nor tough 

 enough for actual use. 



With these barbless hooks the bait was not impaled, 

 but strapped on with shreds of bark. 



NARCOTICS AND POISONS. 



It is said of the great Mogul Emperor Babur that he 

 boasted of being able to make fish drunk so that he 

 might haul them in shoals, and when "Carathis" pro- 

 nounced her "barbarous incantations" the fish with 

 one accord thrust forth their heads from the water. 

 Is it generally known that the North Queensland blacks 

 also are expert in the use of narcotics and indifferent 

 to the ethics of sport ? The most commonly used of 

 the fish poisons on the coast of North Queensland 

 is likewise employed by the natives of Zambesi Land 

 for a similar purpose. The plant is known botanically 

 as "Derris." Two varieties, "scandens" and "uligi- 

 nosa," are known in this State. The aboriginal titles 

 vary in different localities, but "Paggarra" will suit 

 the present purpose. Some blacks are so offensively 

 civilised that they know the plant by the name of 

 "Wild Dynamite." Possibly it owes its popularity 

 among fish poisons to the fact that it is the handiest 

 of all. It trails over the rocks, just out of touch of 

 high-water mark, but not beyond the reach of the 

 spray of surges. With roots investigating inclement 

 crevices, and salt air damping its leaves, the plant 

 flourishes, and flowers prettily in graceful racemes. 

 In the semi-obscurity of the crevices the flowers put 

 on a tinge of pink, literally blushing unseen. The 

 heartless blacks tear up the plant, branches, leaves, 

 flowers and all, coarsely bundle them together, and, 



