so WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



In the month of October, when the 

 south-west monsoon has spent its force 

 and before the wind from the north- 

 east begins to blow, there are a few 

 weeks of profound calm on the waters 

 of the western coast. At this season 

 large fish of various kinds rise to the 

 surface and lie there basking in the 

 sun ; our bay used to be covered with 

 canoes every day and all day during 

 this period, and the fishermen were busy 

 killing the fish with the harpoon. 



I once joined them and tried my hand 

 at the harpoon, but without much suc- 

 cess. The fish lay a Httle below the 

 surface, and practice was required in 

 order to throw with accuracy. The 

 arrangement of the harpoon is very 

 ingenious : the head fits loosely to the 



