NOTES ON FISHING METHODS OF THE SOUTH SEAS. 769 
The hooks vary from 3 to 6 inches in length, and are used both for 
trolling and bottom fish. In trolling the bare hook is used; for bottom 
fish, bait is tied round the bow and shank, leaving the point exposed. 
Fishing at the bottom is very destructive to hooks and lines; a large 
supply was noticed in the houses. 
Two very poor dugouts were lying upon the beach, the best canoes 
being probably at Hikueru. The larger of the two was 16 feet long, 
18 inches wide, and 12 inches deep. The outrigger frame was built 
out 5 feet from the side. Outrigger float 12 feet long, crosspieces of 
frame 9 feet apart. The outrigger frame was made of tree branches, 
and fastened together with bits of old string and wire. Bow of canoe 
quite blunt; stern sharp. It would seem that the shape of these 
canoes is governed rather by the shape of the log from which they 
are made than by any particular design. Both canoes were fitted 
with a sprit sail and temporary shrouds. The shrouds were made fast 
to the crosspieces and were unfastened each time the sail is taken in. 
The indications are that these people are fast discarding their own 
methods and adopting new processes in canoe-making. 
THE SOCIETY ISLANDS. 
The A/batross arrived in the harbor of Papeete, island of Tahiti, on 
the afternoon of September 27 and remained there until October 5. 
Fishing was carried on with hand lines, gill nets, and seine, but 
the results were meager. It was found that fish would seldom take 
the hook, however tempting the bait might be. Wire fish-traps were 
made and set in shallow water where fish were known to be plentiful. 
They remained down several days with negative results. Each time 
a trap was visited several species of fish could be seen swimming 
about as if investigating the contents, but their curiosity did not lead 
them into it. 
A crab net and a lobster pot were set off the northern end of Motu- 
uta Island; nothing was taken in them. One afternoon in this local- 
ity we succeeded in taking three fish with hook and line. Trials were 
made in the same place the following day, but nothing was caught. 
The beaches in the harbor are composed principally of coral and old 
beach rock, to such an extent that it is almost impossible to find a place 
where a seine can be hauled without injury. Fish of many varieties 
were observed in all parts of the harbor, particularly on the spots 
where the traps were set. A trammel net was set off the northern 
end of the coral reef fringing Motu-uta Island, in 3; and 5 fathoms of 
water, the deepest part being on the outer end. The net remained 
down thirty-six hours and during that time was ‘‘ under run” several 
times, but although fish were noticed in the vicinity of the net none 
was obtained. The clearness of the water was no doubt the cause of 
fish not entering the net, 
F. C. 1901—49 
