148 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
stalks of a strong kind of fern, interwoven with the 
tough fibres of the ieie, this is to contain the fish 
which may be taken, and thus secure them, with¬ 
out impeding the operations of the fishermen or 
rowers. To the fore-part of the canoes a long 
curved pole is fastened, branching in opposite 
directions at the outer end; the foot of this rests 
in a kind of socket, fixed between the two canoes. 
Fishing Canoe . 
From each of the projecting branches, lines with 
pearl-shell hooks are suspended, so adjusted as to 
be kept near the surface of the water. To that 
part of the pole which is divided into two branches, 
strong ropes are attached; these extend to the 
stern of the canoe, where they are held by persons 
watching the seizure of the hook. The tira, or 
mast, projects a considerable distance beyond the 
stem of the canoe, and bunches of feathers are 
fastened to its extremities. This is done to 
resemble the aquatic birds which follow the course 
of the small fish, and often pounce down and 
divide the prey which the large ones pursue. As 
it is supposed that the bonitos follow the course of 
