New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-09

allowed to hang suspended a few feet from the
bottom. The scent OF the baked nut seems to have
attraction for certain species OF fish. which soon
surround the stick and smell or nibble at H. In
a few minutes a small bag net is dropped overheard
and manpuvred until its mouth is toward the
pended stick. The latter is then moved gently
into the bag. the FISH following II. Two Of the
natives dive down and carefully approaching the
net, quickly close its mouth and give the signal 10
those in the canoe TO haul up. Should the fishing
prove poor IL is ascrbed To the imperfect per
Torrance Of the lamentations
The native is great lover OF the octopus. or
"Hee,' as they call it, and has variety Of
methods Of capturing it. OF the most interest
Ing Of which is with the cowre shell. one
more OF these shells are attached TO string. with
an oblong pebble on the face OF the shell hole
IS pierced in one end OF the back Of one of the
shells through when the line IS passed. and nav
ing been fastened, is allowed TO project few
most perpendicuiar to the shaft or shank is then
fastened 10 the end of the line, only the finest
large spotted or UrIv ono The spots on the back
must be very small and red. breaking through
spots but objectlonabie otherwise. are slightly
steamed over fire OF sugar husks which
gives them the desired hue.
chews and splits on the water mouthful OF candle
meat which renders the water CLASSY and
clear, or else uses water glass. This latter is
square oblong box, with a pane OF glass at one
water. and Inserting his head at the open end. the
fisherman can see the bottom distinctly. even
fisherman then drops the she'll with hook and
place ReV e TO be inha bited bv an octopms The
octopus is a voraciOus animal. and the moment
the cowry is seen one arm is shot out and the shell
clasped: If of the attractive kind after the
other out and finally the whole body is
cowry, which it closely hugs curling Itself all
around IT, and seeming o6llvi9ns OF anything but
quiet while being rapidly drawn up through the
surface. it raises it, when the fisherman pulls the
string SO as to bring its head against the edge
orr he nd . &c He'd nv aCi,,b
which is struck between the eyes. 1t is necessary
has had time TO become alarmed and let co the
cowry, when. should the arms be fathom In
dangerous antagonist, and there is danger of the
fisherman being squeezed TO death or dragged into
the water and drowned Having eight tentacles,
or arms an octopus of such size could well man
more of its arms does not affect the rest in the
and it with equal facility either above or he
low low the surface OF the water In fishing below
among the rocks and braGing himself in a half
along. He only notices fish IN two positions. those
passing before and parallel to him and those conf
vance Of the fish, as by the time it is struck its
be hit on the glls or middle of the body and thus
secured. but II the spear We're aimed at the body
fish The spear Is generally sent with such force
that it goes right through the fish. thus bringing
il remains while the fisherman strikes rapidly at
other FISH in succession should they come in single
popular method of capture in certain sections
is that of using Supplying plants. The "ahuhu.'
a poisonous weed, is generally used for this pur-
pose. 1t is gathered and pounded up with sand
the latter being added so as TO make the prepare
tion heavy enough to sink in water All over the
reefs. close TO the shore, are numerous caves,
holes. etc. which form the habitat OF many sDe-
cies- The fishermen take along small seine and
a quantity of this poisonous mixture. Arriving al
suitable spot the seine is put into the water and
completely around an Isolated rock. In front
escaping The fishermen then place som ns Of fr f6a
mixture into small bag, and, diving down TO the
bottom, inside of the net. hirt OF IL into the
holes. In about ten or fifteen minutes the fsh
seem to become stupehed. and rise to the surface
and dipped into the canoe by means OF small
scoop nets The fish soon recover from the effects
OF the poison II allowed 10 remain in water. This
manner of fishing is contrary 10 law.
The natives perfectly at home in the watsr
and remain below the surface two and even
three minutes at a time, and as a result a consid.
erf,ble part Of their fishing is done by means OF
diving Clusters Of rocks numerous 10 the