Zoology of Aniwa. 151 
I never saw, however, a more interested and attentive 
audience, than these people when gathered to the Sunday 
service. Mr. Paton has certainly caught the way of securing 
their attention. On one occasion I was rather astonished and 
mystified when he produced a new water-tap, and held it up to 
view, pointing to it, and evidently speaking about it. I found 
out afterwards that it was used to show them what brass was, 
the word having occurred in the passage which he was explain- 
ing. [Illustration seems to be the most effective way of instruct- 
ing them. It is the way which they themselves adopt. 
They can best understand what is exhibited to the eye as well 
as explained to the ear.* 
Birds are not numerous on Aniwa. There are two kinds of 
pigeons, some shore birds, a kind of thrush, and a small black 
bird with red head and hooked bill, whieh sucks the honey 
from the cocoanut flowers. Flying foxes, however, abound. 
These strange creatures come over from the neighbouring 
islands, in flocks, about sundown, for the purpose of feeding 
on some favorite plant which grows on this island. They are 
not left in peace, however ; for the natives are fond of them as 
food, and it is a favorite sport of theirs, on a moonlight night, 
to go out shooting flying foxes. They are covered with ‘a. soft 
brown fur, and measure, from wing to wing, about two 
feet. 
As for the insects, the most noticeable are the flies and 
mosquitoes. They are so troublesome that it is quite im- 
possible at some seasons to sleep, unless you are enveloped in 
a mosquito-curtain: but then I think you sleep all the better 
to have the mosquitos, if you have the curtains—it is so soothing 
* The readers of James Hamilton’s life will remember that he tried this 
style of teaching—exhibiting the branch of a fig-tree at an evening lecture. 
But Abernyte is not Aniwa. A poor woman expostulated with him—‘* Oh 
Maister Hamilton, hoo do you give them fig-leaves when they’re hungerin’ 
for the Bread o’ Life.” 
