injure them'. They were laid in the bottom
of the canoe, and covered over with wet sea weed--a strong fishing
line having been previously fastened to the tail of each. Four men
went in the canoe; one steering with a paddle in the stern, one
paddling on either side, and one in the fore-part looking out for the
turtle and attending to the fishing lines, while I sat on a sort of
stage fixed midship supported by the outrigger poles. The day was
very calm and warm, and the canoe was allowed to drift with the
current, which runs very strong on these shores. a small turtle was
seen, and the sucking fish was put into the water. At first it swam
lazily about, apparently recovering the strength which it had lost by
removal from its native element; but presently it swam slowly in the
direction of the turtle till out of sight; in a very short time the
line was rapidly carried out, there was a jerk, and the turtle was
fast. The line was handled gently for two or three minutes, the
steersman causing the canoe to follow the course of the turtle with
great dexterity. It was soon exhausted and hauled up to the canoe.
It was a small turtle, weighing a little under forty pounds (40
lbs.), but the sucking fish adhered so tenaciously to it as to raise
it from the ground when held up by the tail, and this some time after
being taken out of the water. A strong breeze coming on, the canoe
had to seek the shore without any more sport. I have seen turtle
weighing more than one hundred (100) pounds, which had been taken in
the manner described. Though large numbers of the hawksbill turtles
are taken by the Cape York natives, it is very difficult to procure
the shell from them; they are either too lazy to save it, or if they
do so, it is bartered to the Islanders of Torres' Straits, who use it
for making masks and other ornaments.

11. Although there is a considerable variety of reptiles, snakes do
not appear to be very numerous. The common brown snake and
death-adder are found; carpet snakes (a kind of 'boa'), appear to be
the most common, and grow to a large size. They have been very
troublesome by killing our poultry at night. They seem to be
bloodthirsty creatures, frequently killing much larger animals than
they can possibly swallow, and are not satisfied with one victim at a
time. One which was killed in my fowl-house had three half grown
chickens compressed in its folds and held one in its jaws. A short
time since I was ro