262 
MODES OF 
spearing them, and even this is performed in a 
variety of ways, according to the season of the year, 
the description of fish to be taken, and the peculi- 
arities of the place where they are found. In the 
shallow waters upon the sea-coast the native wades 
with his spear and throwing-stick, and follows the 
windings of the fish with singular rapidity and skill, 
rarely missing his aim where he has an opportunity 
of striking. 
In the larger rivers, when the waters are low and 
clear, a party of natives varying in numbers from 
five to forty plunge in with their spears, which for 
the purpose are made of hard wood, with smooth, 
sharp points, and about six feet long. Forming 
themselves into a large semicircle in the water, 
they all dive down, simultaneously, with their 
weapons, accompanied sometimes by a young man, 
a few yards in advance of the middle of the party, 
and without a spear. For a considerable time they 
remain under water, and then, if successful, gradu- 
ally emerge, and deliver the fish that have been 
speared, to their friends on the shore. If unsuc- 
cessful they swim a few yards further down, and 
dive again with their weapons. And thus they fre- 
quently go on for a mile or two, until they are 
either tired or satisfied with their success. I have 
known a party of thirty natives kill seven or eight 
fish in the course of an hour, none of which were 
under fifteen pounds, whilst some of them were 
much larger. 
