^72 Mr Maxwell Observations 
most force. The animal was probably wounded by the stroke* 
for it gave the boat such a kick, that the mate was thrown over- 
board, but was instantly rescued from his perilous situation by 
the crew. 
The coincidence between the description of Behemoth in the 
Book ol J ob, and the habits of the Hippopotamus, is so remark- 
able, that whoever studies the subject must be satisfied they are 
one and the same animal. 
Fishing — This forms a principal part of the amusement 
and resources of the great men who live in the vicinity of the 
Congo. At certain seasons, they repair with a considerable 
retinue to the Mangrove forests skirting the river, where they 
establish their quarters. The bland air enables them to dispense 
with any other covering than that afforded by the trees, which 
shade them completely from the sun ; and, if necessary, an ample 
cloth-belt secures them from cold. A few earthen pots to dress 
their victuals in, with skins and mats for the better sort to lie 
upon, are all their furniture. The mode of fishing is very inge- 
nious. Having fixed upon a shallow channel between the shore 
and some sandbank or island, a row of stakes is driven across to 
support a frame of wicker work about three feet high. A small 
opening is left where the water is deepest, in which a trap, re- 
sembling a bird-cage, is placed. Into this the fish enter in 
great numbers, and are taken. The women and children are 
employed in smoking them for the rainy season. 
The fishing on the coast of Angoya (or Cabenda,) is con- 
ducted in a different manner, and upon a very extensive scale. 
They use a net or seine nearly four hundred fathoms in length, 
and three or four in depth, made of strong materials. It 
is floated by buoys of the Lob-lolly tree, — a soft spongy wood, 
used also for harpoon floats. A sweep is made along the shore 
with this net, which seldom fails to bring out a large draught 
of mullet and other fish, with which these coasts are well stored. 
There is abundance of very fine rock-oysters, which adhere to 
one another in hundreds, and can only be come at by being 
knocked in pieces. Rock- cod, snappers, and soles, are very 
plentiful. The two former are of a reddish colour, and are 
accounted delicate eatinpc 
- CJ 
