188J.] ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE UEMORA. 411 



1. On tlie Employment of the Remora by Native Fishermen 

 on the East Coast of Africa. By Frederic Holmwood, 

 H.B.M. Consul Zanzibar. 



[Keceived June 14, 1884.] 



About two years since, whilst making a trip fronn Peinba to 

 Zanzibar in a steam-launch, I noticed several small fishes darting 

 from under the stern, when from time to time ashes, scraps of food, 

 and other thhigs were thrown overboard. 



On examination I observed that these fishes had attached themselves 

 to the sides of the boat quite regardless of the noise and disturbance 

 of the water caused by the screw. On endeavouring to remove 

 them I found that they were most determined in retaining their hold, 

 but a native on board at once detached one from the planking by 

 drawing it off sideways. It appeared to be a small Sucking-fish of 

 about half a pound in weight ; the native told me it was called 

 " Chazo " ; he evidently knew the fish perfectly well, but volunteered 

 no information as to its being employed by the native fishermen. 



Shortly after this, while driving in the country, I passed a native 

 engaged in finishing ofi' a small canoe which had been hewn from a 

 fallen mango-tree. As it appeared too small to be of any practical 

 use, I inquired for what purpose it was intended. He replied " for 

 Chaza," and on further questioning him I could obtain no other 

 answer. 



" Chaza " being the native name for the oyster and other bivalves 

 found along the shore, I imagined that the canoe was intended for 

 skirting the coast in the shallow tideways whilst collecting shell-fish, 

 which are here obtained in large quantities during spring-tides; but, 

 never having seen a canoe of this kind in use, my curiosity was 

 roused, and on returning home I asked a servant, who had been 

 brought up in a fishing-village, in what district these small craft 

 were employed. He told roe they were used as " houses " for a fish 

 called the " Chazo," and that most fishermen kept them in their 

 huts. This brought to my recollection the small fish I had noticed 

 during the recent voyage from Pemba, and led to my making further 

 inquiries, in the course of wliich I learnt that the Sucker-fish was 

 reared and trained by the native fishermen of Zanzibar for the 

 purpose of catching Turtle, Tortoise, and the larger fish. 



I had once before, when travelling in Madagascar, been told 

 incidentally a story of Sharks and even Crocodiles being captured by 

 the natives by means of a fish called "Tarundu," which was trained 

 for the purpose ; but at that time I was new to the country and had 

 only an imperfect knowledge of the language, and no doubt also 

 showed my incredulity so plainly that my informants refrained from 

 again referring to the subject. 



