308 TIIE OCEAN. 



shell is removed, a hole bored through the kernel, 

 and a rush passed through the hole, when they are 

 hung up in strings for use. Torches are made by 

 enclosing four or five strings of the nuts in the leaves 

 of the screw-pine {Pandanus), which not only keep 

 them together, but increase the brilliancy of the 

 light. 



These nocturnal fishing expeditions are described 

 as producing a most picturesque effect. Large par- 

 ties of men proceed to the reef, when the sea is com- 

 paratively smooth, and hunt the totara, or hedge-hog- 

 fish, probably a species of Diodon: and it is a 

 beautiful and interesting spectacle, to behold a long 

 line of reef illuminated by the flaming torches, the 

 light from which glares redly upon the foaming surf 

 without, and the calm lagoon within. Each fisher- 

 man holds his torch in his left hand high above his 

 head, while he poises his spear in his right, and 

 stands with statue-like stillness, watching the ap- 

 proach of the fish. 



A similiar mode of fishing is practised in the rivers, 

 and though the circumstances are different, the effect 

 is not inferior. "Few scenes," says Mr. Ellis, "pre- 

 sent a more striking and singular effect, than a band 

 of natives walking along the shallow parts of the 

 rocky sides of a river, elevating a torch with one 

 hand, and a spear in the other; while the glare of 

 their torches is thrown upon the overhanging boughs, 

 and reflected from the agitated surface of the stream ; 

 their own bronze- coloured and lightly -clothed forms, 

 partially illuminated, standing like figures in relief; 

 while the whole scene appears in bright contrast with 



