THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 309 
the dark and almost midnight gloom that envelopes 
every other object.”* 
Another mode of fishing by torchlight is described 
by the late Mr. Williams, who accompanied some 
natives of Atiu on an excursion. The object of the 
pursuit was the Flying-fisb, which is only taken by 
night. Double canoes were used, which, having 
been dragged from the rocks, thirty feet above the 
level of the water, down a broad sloping ladder, were 
launched over the surf. A torch was lighted, and 
the principal fisherman took his station on the fore 
Fisning By ToRcHLIGHT. 
part of the canoe, bearing a ring-net attached to a 
light pole twelve or fifteen feet long. The rowers 
* Poly. Res, i. 150, 
