294 



THE OCEAN. 



a root for this purpose, they choose one partially 

 exposed, and growing by the side of a bank, prefer- 

 ring such as are free from knots and other excres- 

 cences. The root is twisted into the shape they 

 wish the future hook to assume, and allowed to grow 

 till it has reached a size lar^e enoucjh to allow of the 



o o 



autside or soft parts being removed, and a sufficiency 



POLYNESIAN FiSHIXG-TACKLE. 



remaining to form the hook. Some hooks thus pre- 

 pared are not much thicker than a quill, and perhaps 

 three or four inches in length. Those used in taking 

 sharks are formidable-looking weapons ; some are a 

 foot or fifteen inches long, exclusive of the curvatures, 

 and not less than an inch in diameter. Tliey are 

 such frightful things, that no fish less voracious than 



