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Show 881.] ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE REMORA. 411 1. On the Employment of the Remora by Native Fishermen on the East Coast of Africa. By FREDERIC H O L M WOOD, H.B.M. Consul Zanzibar. [Eeceived June 14, 1884.] About two years since, whilst making a trip from Pemba to Zanzibar in a steam-launch, I noticed several small fishes darting from under the stern, when from time to time ashes, scraps of food, and other things were thrown overboard. On examination I observed that these fishes had attached themselves to the sides of the boat quite regardless of the noise and disturbance of the water caused by the screw. On endeavouring to remove them I found that they were most determined in retaining their hold, but a native on board at once detached one from the planking by drawing it off sideways. It appeared to be a small Sucking-fish of about half a pound in weight ; the native told me it was called " Chazo " ; he evidently knew the fish perfectly well, but volunteered no information as to its being employed by the native fishermen. Shortly after this, while driving in the country, I passed a native engaged in finishing off a small canoe which had been hewn from a fallen mango-tree. As it appeared too small to be of any practical use, I inquired for what purpose it was intended. He replied " for Chaza," and on further questioning him I could obtain no other answer. " Chaza " being the native name for the oyster and other bivalves found along the shore, I imagined that the canoe was intended for skirting the coast in the shallow tideways whilst collecting shell-fish, which are here obtained in large quantities during spring-tides; but, never having seen a canoe of this kind in use, m y curiosity was roused, and on returning home I asked a servant, who had been brought up in a fishing-village, in what district these small craft were employed. He told roe they were used as " houses " for a fish called the " Chazo," and that most fishermen kept them in their huts. This brought to m y recollection the small fish I had noticed during the recent voyage from Pemba, and led to m y making further inquiries, in the course of which I learnt that the Sucker-fish was reared and trained by the native fishermen of Zanzibar for the purpose of catching Turtle, Tortoise, and the larger fish. I had once before, when travelling in Madagascar, been told incidentally a story of Sharks and even Crocodiles being captured by the natives by means of a fish called "Tarundu," which was trained for the purpose; but at that time I was new to the country and had only an imperfect knowledge of the language, and no doubt also showed m y incredulity so plainly that m y informants refrained from again referring to the subject. |