1870.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 175 



macrochilus, Bleeker, Teuthis vermiculata, K. and v. H., Glyphido- 

 don sordidus, Forsk., Cheer ops cyanodon, Richardson, Semigymus me- 

 lanopterus, Bl., Callyodon viridescens, Blkr. &c. Whilst thus engaged, 

 we heard a loud shout out on the reef, and on looking, perceived a 

 skate, Hhynchobatus tuber culatus, Guv., nearly six feet long struggling 

 with some of our fisherman. We found, however, that there were 

 many small species which we could not capture, so the next day re- 

 turned with a large sheet. On splashing the water, these fish retir- 

 ed amongst the branches of the coral. We then spread the sheet close 

 to the coral, sinking it with stones and placing some sea-weed and 

 sand upon it. As soon as all was quiet, the fish came from their 

 place of security, got amongst our sea-weed when we lifted the sheet 

 out of the water, and thus obtained them. The Andamanese are 

 familiar with this mode of catching fish. 



We continued collecting about an hour, during which period we 

 obtained, without using anything but the boys' hands, many species 

 of fish, about 60 lb weight of shells and specimens of the so-called sea 

 slugs, Bfohe de mer (Holothuria) which abounds there. In about one 

 and a half hours 31 large mullet, Mugil macrochilus, Blkr., averaging 

 about 31b. each, and upwards of 30 other large fishes as well as many 

 small ones had rewarded the labours of our archers, and that with- 

 out the loss of a single arrow. The succeeding day, the same 

 parties killed 56 large mullets by bows and arrows within the space 

 of two hours. 



As soon as a shoal of fish, or even one large fish is viewed, all 

 become at once on the alert, they dash about with the greatest ac- 

 tivity, run over the sharp coral without caring for it, whilst their 

 eyesight is most acute. They fire their arrows at objects in the 

 water, which no European, unused to the work, could perceive. 

 They appear to aim under the fish, and mostly hit it through the 

 bowels, when struck, away darts the unfortunate victim carrying 

 off the floating arrow, which, however, soon becomes entangled in 

 the sea-weed or else the tired and wounded fish gives in, the arrow 

 floats, the captive's life is nearly over. The smaller children have 

 miniature bows and arrows, the latter being unarmed, but having 

 Its end sharpened ; with these they practice upon small fishes, also 

 on those which have been wounded by their elders. The usual 



