THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 807 
are of various kinds: a casting-net is used with 
much dexterity, being thrown from the hand over a 
shoal of small fishes, as the fisherman walks along 
the shore. Salmon-nets are made forty fathoms long, 
and are very effective; stones tied in bags of matting 
being used instead of leads, and floats of light wood 
for corks. 
Fishing with the barbed spear is a favourite amuse- 
ment in these islands. Before the introduction of 
iron, the implement was made of hard wood; ten or' 
twelve pointed pieces being fastened to the end of a 
pole eight feet long; but now iron heads are usually 
employed, barbed on one side. With these spears 
the natives proceed to the reef, and wade into the 
sea as high as their waists, their feet being defended 
from the sharp points of the coral and the spines of 
the sea-urchins by sandals made of tough bark, 
twisted into cords. Stationing themselves near an 
opening in the rocks, they watch the motions of the 
fishes, as they shoot to and fro, and dart the spear, 
sometimes with one hand, but more commonly with 
both, frequently striking their prey with great dex- 
terity. . 
The fishermen often pursue their avocation by 
night; sometimes in the dark, sometimes by moon- 
light, but more usually by torchlight. Their torches 
are either large bunches of dried reeds firmly tied 
together, or else are made of the candle-nut (Alew- 
rites triloba), which the natives use to light their 
houses. These nuts are heart-shaped, about as 
large as a walnut, and enclosed in a very hard 
shell. After being slightly baked in an oven, the 
