FISH AND REPTILES. 385 
sight of the weapon than he made off in great haste, 
moving along over many hundred yards of dry reef like 
a serpent, without our being able to stop him. There 
is a curious tradition about a species of sole called 
“‘ Davilai.” Mr. Davilai used to be the leader of the 
songs amongst the fishes, and one day, when all his 
band were together and he was requested to com- 
mence the strain, he obstinately refused to comply. 
Enraged at such behaviour, the other fishes trod him 
under foot till he became flat; and hence, when a 
person refuses to pitch a song, the proverb is, “ Oh, 
here is Mr. Davilai.” There is also a most beautiful fish, 
about as large as a gold fish and of the finest ultra- 
marine colour; it is very frequent about the coral-beds, 
and a finer sight can scarcely be imagined than this 
creature playing in the crystal water over what looks 
like so much mosaic-work. 
Reptiles are comparatively few in species. There 
are about ten different kinds of snakes, but none of 
them larger than about six feet. A good many inhabit 
trees, and often drop down; some are eaten. Snakes 
are collectively termed “Gata,” and every species has a 
distinctive name. A large frog, Boto or Dreli (Platy- 
mantis Vitianus), is common about the swamps. There 
are three kinds of turtle, collectively known as “ Vonu.” 
The green turtle is called “ Vonu dina,” and that which 
yields the shell—the tortoise—‘‘ Vonu taku.” But there 
is besides one which the natives term “Tovonu,” said to 
be from six to ten feet long; however, I never have seen 
it; those which the chiefs often have in their turtle-ponds 
are the two first-mentioned kinds. The lizard tribe is re- 
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