THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 



309 



the dark and almost midnight gloom that envelopes 

 every other object."* 



Another mode of fishing by torchlight is described 

 by the late Mr. Williams, who accompanied some 

 natives of Atiu on an excursion. The object of the 

 pursuit was the Flying- fish, which is only taken by 

 night. Double canoes were used, which, having 

 been dragged from the rocks, thirty feet above the 

 level of the water, down a broad sloping ladder, were 

 launched over the surf. A torch was lighted, and 

 the principal fisherman took his station on the fore 



Fishing by Torchlight. 



part of the canoe, bearing a ring-net attached to a 

 light pole twelve or fifteen feet long. The rowers 



* Poly. Res. i. 150. 



