FISH -EATING MANKIND 263 



to 100 Ibs. in weight), while the seas swarm with 

 all kinds of semi-tropical fish, including the hilsa 

 and the delicious mango-fish, which ascend the 

 rivers. 



The natives of Polynesia are born fishermen, 

 almost living in the water, and excel in the art 

 of cooking their daily catches. 



South Africa has splendid fish of great size all 

 round its coasts, and the big lakes and rivers of 

 Central Africa abound in fish. 



In parts of Australia, whose rivers and coasts 

 are very prolific, and in New Guinea, the Aborigines 

 live almost exclusively on fish. Tasmania and 

 New Zealand are equal to the great island con- 

 tinent in respect of native fish, and superior in the 

 matter of acclimatised salmon and trout, perch, &c. 



Many tribes of Indians along the Amazon and 

 Orinoco rivers, their tributaries and lakes, are 

 dependent upon fish for sustenance, and all around 

 the littorals of Brazil and the West Indian Islands, 

 innumerable fish the chief food of the negroes- 

 can be obtained with a minimum of trouble. 



Turning to colder regions, we find that in Green- 

 land and Iceland, a dietary of walrus and seal is 

 considerably supplemented by fish. The Alaskans 

 harpoon the monster halibut of 600 Ibs. weight 

 (equal to that of ten ordinary sheep), so plentiful 



