On the Palolo. 145 
water three or four fathoms deep. The natives say, they 
come from seaward, but can give no reason for this conjec- 
ture. After many years’ close observation, writes the Rev. 
W. Mills, I am still unable to decide; but from the sudden- 
ness with which they gather into clusters, I am inclined to 
think they rise from the bottom. The question then is: Is 
it one of the many Polypifera which are employed in con- 
structing the coral, and which at that particular time escape 
from its many ramifications ? 
The objections to this supposition are, first, That the Palolo 
is to be found at a very few places, not more than three or 
four in all the great extent of reef surrounding this island ; 
whereas if it belonged to coral, it might be expected to appear 
at other places; unless it belong to some particular kind of 
coral, only found at those places where the Palolo appears ; 
of the existence of which, however, there is no evidence. 
Secondly, The animal, when complete, terminates rounded at 
both ends, having no tentacula with which the coral building 
Polypifera are possessed to operate round the mouth of their 
cells. | | 
The natives calculate with great certainty the day the 
Palolo appears, and are never mistaken in their calculations. 
They go out in their canoes, each person having a basket, 
and with this he skims up the animal as it swims on the 
surface. It is cooked, and esteemed a great dainty. Those 
natives fortunate enough to secure it, carry it to their friends 
round the island, who live where it does not appear. From 
the day of its appearance the natives begin the six months, 
which they call Vae Palolo, or winter season. We have no 
instance on any of the other islands of this animal being 
found ; yet on most of the land in the east the winter season 
is called Palolo or Paroro. 
VOL. LVII. NO. CXIII.—JULY 1854. K 
