Deep-Sea Fishing in Polynesia. 
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submerged coral platform, and in the shallowest 
part has a depth of about four fathoms. It 
is about two hundred and fifty acres in extent, 
and from its apex the sides gradually slope in a 
graceful rounded curve, till its outlines are lost 
in the blue depths of the ocean. During the 
ordinary trade-wind weather a ship may sail over 
even the shallowest part in perfect safety, but 
during the prevalence of the westerly winds 
—from January to March—the sea breaks 
over and around it to such a degree that it 
resembles a vast cauldron of white, roaring 
foam. Upon and around this spot fish of 
every size, shape, and colour swarm in 
prodigious numbers. But hordes of voracious 
sharks infest the place, and render fishing 
terribly dangerous after nightfall, and, indeed, 
occasionally in daylight. The people of Nano- 
maga occasionally form a large fishing party to 
the Tia Kau, and the writer, who has often 
accompanied them, has seen as many as twenty 
canoes loaded to sinking point with an extra¬ 
ordinary variety of fish in less than an hour. 
Among those caught was a species of red rock- 
cod of huge size and appalling mouth. Three 
of these would fill a canoe, for, although none 
