THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 307 



are of various kinds: a casting-net is used with 

 much dexterity, being thrown from the hand over a 

 shoal of small fishes, as the fisherman walks along 

 the shore. Salmon-nets are made forty fathoms long, 

 and are very effective; stones tied in bags of matting 

 being used instead of leads, and floats of light wood 

 for corks. 



Fishing with the barbed spear is a favourite amuse- 

 ment in these islands. Before the introduction of 

 iron, the implement was made of hard wood; ten or 

 twelve pointed pieces being fastened to the end of a 

 pole eight feet long; but now iron heads are usually 

 employed, barbed on one side. With these spears 

 the natives proceed to the reef, and wade into the 

 sea as high as their waists, their feet being defended 

 from the sharp points of the coral and the spines of 

 the sea-urchins by sandals made of tough bark, 

 twisted into cords. Stationing themselves near an 

 opening in the rocks, they watch the motions of the 

 fishes, as they shoot to and fro, and dart the spear, 

 sometimes with one hand, but more commonly with 

 both, frequently striking their prey with great dex- 

 terity. 



The fishermen often pursue their avocation by 

 night; sometimes in the dark, sometimes by moon- 

 light, but more usually by torehlight. Their torches 

 are either large bunches of dried reeds firmly tied 

 together, or else are made of the candle-nut (Akn- 

 rites triloba), which the natives use to light their 

 houses. These nuts are heart-shaped, about as 

 large as a walnut, and enclosed in a very hard 

 shell. After being slightly baked in an oven, the 



