GORGES VERSUS HOOKS 33 
time the hook supersedes the gorge, to which it is superior in 
several respects, not least in ease and speed of extraction from 
a fish when landed. 
/ Small bone rods tapering towards both ends, and sometimes 
rooved in the middle probably for attachment of a line, form 
the gorges of the Caves. Their descendants or kinsmen found 
all the world over vary in shape and material. But whether 
fashioned of bone, or flake of flint, or of turtle-shell, with cocoa 
nut used as trimmers, whether straight or curved at the ends, 
the purpose and operation of one and all is the same—to be 
swallowed (buried in bait) by the fish end first. The tightening 
of the line soon alters this position into one crosswise in the 
stomach or gullet. Even at the present time in some parts 
of England the needle, buried in a worm when “ sniggling ’’ 
for eels, works successfully in similar fashion. 
It is not possible here to discuss fully the various materials 
and shapes of the first Hook proper. This (according to my 
view) Neolithic, certainly post-Palzolithic,! creation developed 
doubtless from the over-education of fish, a complaint possibly 
as rife then as in our own day. 
No writer, despite zealous endeavours, has succeeded in 
determining which material—stone (rarely found), bone, shell, 
or thorn 2—was first employed for the purpose. On that which 
lay readiest would probably be essayed the prentice hand of 
each particular race. To dwellers near the shore the large 
supply and easy adaptability of shells would of a surety appeal. 
These could be fashioned so as to be used alone, or lashed 
with fibre to a piece of wood or bone so as to form the bend, 
while the wood or bone constituted the shank of the hook.® 
1 Sanchouniathon, as translated by Philo of Byblus, ap. Euseb., Praep. Ev. 
i. 10, 9, in what purports to be a Phoenician account, would bring the invention 
right down to the Iron Age. ‘‘ Many generations later Agreus and Halieus 
sprang from the stock of Hypsouranios. They were the discoverers of hunting 
and fishing, hunters and fishers being called after them. From these in turn 
sprang two brothers, inventors of iron and iron-working. One of these 
brothers, Chrysor, practised spells and charms and oracles. He is Hephaistos, 
and he it is who invented hook and bait and line and boat, being the first of 
all men to set sail. Wherefore also they worshipped him as a god after his 
death, and named him Zeus Meilfchios.”’ 
2&5, Krause, op. cit., 208, holds that the most primitive hook was made of 
wood : bind a thorn or sprig crossways and your hook is to hand. 
* H. T. Sheringham holds that both early and recent specimens of Fijian 
