METHODS OF FISHING. 147 
barb is usually an inch and a half in length, and 
is of shell or bone. To the lower part of this, the 
end of the line is securely fastened, and being 
braided along the inner or concave side of the 
shell, is again attached to the upper end. Great 
care is taken in the manufacture of these pearl- 
shell hooks, and they are considered much better 
than any made in Europe. 
The line is fastened to the hook in a curious man¬ 
ner, and, when taken to sea, is attached to a strong 
bamboo-cane, about twelve or fifteen feet long; 
light single canoes are preferred for catching dol¬ 
phins, bonitos, or albicores. Two or three persons 
usually proceed to sea, and when they perceive a 
shoal of these fish, those who angle sit in the stern 
of the canoe, and hold the rod at such an eleva¬ 
tion, as to allow the hook to touch the edge of the 
water, but not to sink. When the fish approach 
it, the rowers ply their paddles briskly, and the 
light bark moves rapidly along, while the fisher¬ 
man keeps the hook near the surface of the water. 
The deception of the hook is increased by a num¬ 
ber of hairs or bristles being attached to the end 
of the shell, so as to resemble the tail of a flying- 
fish. The bonito, &c. darting after, and grasping 
its prey, is itself secured. During the season, 
two men will sometimes take twenty or thirty 
large fish in this way in the course of the fore¬ 
noon. 
The most ingenious method, however, of taking 
these large fish is by means of what is termed a 
tira , or mast. A pair of ordinary sized canoes is 
usually selected for this purpose, and the lighter 
and swifter, the more suitable are they esteemed. 
Between the fore-part of the canoes, a broad deep 
oblong; kind of basket is constructed, with the 
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