THE FISHES OF SAMOA. 447 



of the Samoan language. Afterwards I supplemented my list by additional informa- 

 tion obtained at native feasts and from fishermen returning from the reefs with their 

 spears and nets and from their exciting chase for bonitos in their swift canoes pro- 

 vided with poles and trolling lines. Of course 1 could only record the native names, 

 without attempting to do more than determine the genera or families of the most 

 conspicuous kinds. The present work of Doctor Jordan makes it possible for the 

 first time to identify the species of near]}' all of the fishes in my list. 



In this list there are certain names marked with an interrogation point. These 

 I was unable to check with my list or to explain in a satisfactoiy manner. Some of 

 the names of fishes are primitive, like atn, pusi,fai, and are widespread throughout 

 Polynesia; others have a definite significance, such as i : a sina, white fish; Pu-sama- 

 sama, yellow-tail; and others, like the long-beaked aleva, take their names from those 

 of birds or other natural objects. I have included also the principal adjectives, 

 verbs, and nouns from which compound names of fishes have been formed. 



'a'a, n. A snapper, Lutianus argentimaculatus. 



aau, n. A name applied to two lancet-fishes, Hepatus guttaius and Clenochaetus strialus. See au, a sharp 



fish spine, a needle. 

 a'au, n. The coral reef; akau (New Zealand), the border of land near the sea. 

 afa, n. A cord, or sinnet, braided from cocoanut-fiber, a string, 

 afa'afa, n. Name applied to a thread-fin, Polydactylies plebeius, a fish with its pectoral fins modified 



into string-like organs of touch. 

 afo, n. A fishing line. Alio (Hawaii and Tahiti), a line or cord, 

 afolu, n. Name applied to a surmullet, Mulloides samoensis, a fish with thread-like barbels growing from 



the throat, 

 ago, v. To mark a pattern for tattooing; to mark with charcoal, 

 aimeo, n. Name applied to file-fishes of the genera Holacanthus and Cantherines. 

 alala, n. Plates or scales of tortoise-shell, 

 alala-saga, n. Name applied to a demoiselle-fish (Abudefduf septemfascialus) with tortoise-shell-like 



markings, 

 alalafutu, n. Name applied to a pompano, Trachinolus ovatus, and to Caranx plumbeus, fish having the 



first rays of the dorsal fin more or less filamentous, 

 alamu (alamea?), n. Name applied to species of Holacanthus. 

 alamea, n. A many-rayed sea-urchin, 

 alamea, n. A surgeon-fish, Hepatus aliala. 

 alati-moana ( ? ) , n. Hem igymnus melapterus. 



aleva, n. A little file-fish with beak-like snout, Oxymonacanthus longiroslris. 

 aleva, n. Name of a bird (Eudynamis taitenm ). 



ali, n. A flounder ( Platophrys) ; name applied also to a flat fish (Zebrasoma) with a superficial resem- 

 blance to a flounder, 

 ali-palagi, n, Zebrasoma rhombeum. 

 aloalo, n. The lagoon between the beach and the reef, 

 alogo, n. A beautifully marked surgeon-fish, Hepatus lineatus. 

 alomatu, adj. Partially dry. 



'analagi, 'ana'analagi, n. A mullet-like, spotted fish, Liza aeruleomaculata. 

 anaana (Tahiti), adj. Beaming, shining; kanakana (Paumutu), bright, radiant; kana (New Zealand), 



the eyeballs, 

 'anae, n. The name of a fish (liza sp.); kanae (New Zealand), the gray mullet; anae (Tahiti) a mullet; 



anae (Hawaii), a mullet, 

 anefe, n. Name applied to young of lo (Siganus sp. ). 

 'ao, adj. Small, slender. 

 apoa, n. An eel-like fish with stinging dorsal spine, Plotosus anguillaris. 



