34 
MEMOIR OF 
here ; but on Sunday they quitted the island, and 
two days after, he notices that they « first took 
dolphins with fis-gigs, or sharp arrow-headed or 
bearded irons, fitted with poles of about ten 
feet long, lead for the more convenient striking 
them, and a rope or line tied to them to hold the 
fis-gig, which is shot at them by the strength of 
the hand, when they come within reach of 
those waiting for them, usually on some of the 
yardarms, backhead, or poop ; in which fishing, 
the great matter seems to be, to allow for the 
refraction of the water. They were laid in wait 
for, not only so, but likewise with lines and 
hooks, which were hung out, baited with rags, in 
the shape of flying fish, and so adjusted as to 
hang, sometimes to touch the water, at others not, 
according to the waves, thereby imitating the 
flying-fish, which the dolphins pursue with great 
greediness. Dolphins are reckoned the swiftest 
swimmers that are, their bodies being contrived 
for that purpose. There is as much pleasure in 
seeing them pursue the flying fish as in hunting 
or hawking ; the flying-fish getting out of the 
water, where the dolphins cannot pursue them.” 
They cooked one they had caught, which, Sloane 
observes, “ was dry, though pretty good victuals, 
and well tasted ; the nearer the head the more it 
is prized : although,” he humorously adds, “ I 
am apt to think, that if this fish, so much com- 
mended bv sailors, were ashore in a market where 
