44 INTRODUCTION 
grip the coal. Having by means of a rude spy-glass located the 
position of the mineral, they lowered from a boat a cord to 
which an octopus—the larger the better—was secured. As the 
fish detested the sensation of suspension, the moment he touched 
bottom he clutched with all his tentacles any solid object 
within reach, and while being drawn up clung to it with might 
and main. 
By this method of inverted fishing—whether a survival of 
‘Minoan Culture’ or an adaptation from the East, where for 
many centuries the octopus has been similarly used for catching 
fish—much coal and much else was retrieved from the sea. 
Note.—Since the above was written Th. Mainage has published at Paris 
Les Religions de la préhistoive. ‘‘ Rites de Chasse” (ch. viii) includes a section 
on magic (pp. 326-342) and on religion (pp. 342-9), both dealing with fishing, 
etc., ancient and modern. The sermon preached among the Hurons to the 
fish recalls that of St. Anthony of Padua. Mainage, on p. 344, fig. 188, gives 
an incised design from Laugerie-Basse, which according to him represents 
“Pécheurs armés de filets (?).” The design is as little convincing as the 
author by his query seems convinced. 
