MODE OF FISHING OF SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS 21 T 



connected circle in some shallow. One or two persons then 

 go in a small canoe towards the centre of the enclosed space^ 

 with long white sticks, which they strike in the water with 

 a great noise, and by this means drive the fish towards the 

 rafts. On approaching these the fish dart out of the water, 

 and in attempting to spring over the raft, strike against the 

 raised fence on the outer side, and fall on the surface of the 

 horizontal part, when they are gathered into baskets or 

 canoes on the outside. In this manner great numbers ot 

 these and other kinds of fish, that are accustomed to spring 

 out of the water when alarmed or pursued, are taken with 

 facility. Fishing-nets are remarkably well made, and those 

 for casting are used with great dexterity, generally as the 

 islanders walk a-long the beach. When a shoal of small fish 

 appear, they throw the net with the right hand, and some- 

 times enclose the greater part of them. 



Next to the net the spear is most frequently used. This 

 is darted at the fish, sometimes with one hand, but more 

 frequently with both, and very successfully. When fishing 

 on the reefs, they wear a kind of sandal made of closely- 

 netted cords of the cloth plant, to preserve their feet from 

 the edges of the shells, the spikes of the sea-urchins, etc. 



It would be interesting to gaze upon a group of fishermen 

 standing on a coral reef or rock, amidst the roar of the 

 billows, and the dashing surf and foam that broke in mag- 

 nificent splendor around them. With unwavering glance 

 they have stood, with a little basket in one hand and a 

 pointed spear in the other, striking with unerring aim such 

 fish as the violence of the wave might force within their 

 reach. 



The shell, or shell and bone hooks, are curious and use- 

 ful, answering the purpose of hook and bait, the small ones 

 being made circular, and bent so as to resemble a worm ; 

 but the most common one is that used in catching dolphins, 

 albicores, and bonitos. The shank of the hook is made with 



