51 
These people are not only fishermen, but are pastoral, 
especially the Whemians; and their relative monetary 
positions, and consequent social status, may be guessed by 
the general appearance of their houses, and by the stand 
of cattle to be seen in the pens adjoining their houses, 
built on piles over the water, as are the dwellings. The 
absence or shallowness of the water at some sites in the 
dry season admits of the cattle being allowed to wander on 
terra firma, in fact of the erection and repairs of dwelling 
houses ; but fodder has to be brought by canoe to the less 
fortunate creatures that have to eke out an existence in 
such pens as are always surrounded by water, until such 
time as they are tethered and transported by canoe to the 
butcher. 
The length of the piles depends on depth of water, and 
on the probable rise in the rainy season. I have seen 
houses built over water some two to three fathoms deep. 
Should there happen to be a higher rise than allowed for, 
which at times happens, when even the platform is covered, 
a temporary flooring is made in the roof, with a hole in its 
thatch as a door, over which the people have to reside 
until the water has subsided. 
Habit, associated with still-existing dread, leans them 
to a preference of a continuance of such occupations, 
although the people cultivate farms and make oil on the 
adjoining lands. 
Domestic animals among them are pigs, goats, sheep, 
cattle, dogs, etc. 
The men fish, farm, and trade, while the women attend 
to the live stock and attend markets, paddling their own 
way ; they also fish. 
The fishing gear is similar to what I have already 
described. 
[33] E 2 
