Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/96

 TO FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. In some parts the rau is used, which is a fringe formed by winding split cocoa-nut leaves round a number of vines to the length of hundreds or even thousands of feet. This being stretched in a straight line, the canoes to which the ends are attached approach until they meet, thus making a vast enclosure within which the fish are then speared or netted. One kind of net is used in the same way. The native seines are like our own, and are well made. Turtle-fishers generally act under orders from the Chief of whose establishment they form a part, and often receive presents of food and property on their return from a successful trip. At times they engage themselves to other people, when it is understood that they are to fish ten times. When they take nothing, they receive no payment ; but each time they bring in one or more turtles, food and property are given them, and the employer must make them a handsome present on the completion of the engagement. For this work nets are used, made of sinnet, and very inferior ones of vau. They should not be less than sixty yards long ; the best are two hundred. Sixteen meshes, each seven or eight inches square, give a depth of about ten feet. The floats are of light wood, about two feet long, and five feet apart : peb- bles or large trochus shells are used to weight the lower edge. This net is carried out on a canoe into deep water, and let down just outside the reef: both ends are next brought close to the reef, or, should there be water enough, a little way upon it : thus there is formed a semi- circular fence, which intercepts the turtle on its way back from feed- ing. If the animal turns from the net, it is frightened back by the fishermen, who shout, strike the water with poles, and stamp furiously on the deck of the canoe, until their prey becomes entangled by its attempts to pass through the net. A plan not generally known, is practised at night by some of the Malakis. The net is then said to be nursed : that is, several persons, stationed at intervals along the net, which is fully stretched out, hold it gathered up in their arms. The approach of the turtle is then listened for, and the man towards whom it comes drops the net, and the animal is secured. But the most diffi- cult part of the business — that of getting actual possession — yet re- mains. The men have to dive and seize their captive in an element where he is more at home than they. The struggle is sometimes violent, and the turtle, if large, requires the exertions of four or five men. The first diver aims to secure the extremity of the fore-fin, it being thought that by depressing the fore-part of its body the turtle is made more eager to ascend : to lay hold of the body-joint of the fin would endanger a man's hand. If their captive is very troublesome,