IT 1 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [JutfE, 



As wo were again on the eve of starting, we heard a shout of 

 itch rah, uchrah (fish, fish) when another canoe arrived, with some 

 splendid specimens obtained by means of bows and arrows. At 

 last we started, the Andamanese as usual carrying fire with them, 

 and soliciting tobacco and pipes, their most constant word being 

 jay, jay, (give, give). As a foretaste of what might be expected, 

 provided they did well, we presented the chief with a looking-glass, 

 some tobacco, and a box of fusees, whilst we also gave our fellow 

 passengers another box of fusees, which, however, they had exhaust- 

 ed before we arrived at the termination of our short pull, as they 

 were unable to resist the amusement of making fire without trouble 

 to themselves. 



We passed shoals of fish, many being of the most brilliant hues. 

 Now our fishing commenced, the females started off along the shore 

 to fish in their manner, the bachelors with their bows and arrows 

 and spears proceeded as far out upon the reef as they could, whilst 

 the younger children stayed with us to collect shells and small fish. 



As soon as we commenced wading into the sea, hundreds of fish 

 darted about, either from under one piece of coral to another, or 

 from sea-weed to sea-weed. 



We first collected the little Blennies which are exceedingly active 

 and disappear in holes under the coral, just as one is feeling sure 

 of obtaining them, we, however, captured a sufficient number of 

 specimens. Occasionally when feeling under a sea-weed or coral 

 for a fish, a crab would lay hold of the hand of the investigator. 

 At one yell rather louder than any which had preceded it, I went 

 to the spot and saw the beautifully scarlet and striped Pterois voli- 

 tans swimming off, whilst all the Andamanese refused having any.- 

 thing more to do with the u sea devil," as they term these fishes, on 

 account of the severity of the wound produced by their spines. The 

 water was very clear and shallow, and all this fish's elongated 

 fins were expanded, it appeared in no particular hurry, but seemed 

 to be quietly sailing away, as much as to challenge us to touch it. 

 I threw a pocket handkerchief over it, and thus obtained it safely. 



Many fishes, never previously seen by me, darted past us, and the 

 little Andamanese began to warm to their work and took some larger 

 fishes as Serranm dixpar, Giinther, Scolopsis ciliatus, Lacep., Mugil 



