Thus, the hand-line terminates in a triangle (see the figure I
have given, of a rude Stirrup), the two sides of which are of string,
with the stick for a base. A stout stick of this kind can be thrown to a
great distance; either it may be "heaved," as a sailor's Deep-sea Lead,
or it may be whirled round the head, and then let fly.
Night-shooting.--Tie a band of white paper round the muzzle of the gun,
behind the sight. Mr. Andersson, who has had very great experience, ties
the paper, not round the smooth barrel, but over the sight and all; and,
if the sight does not happen to be a large one, he ties a piece of thick
string round the barrel, or uses other similar contrivance, to tilt up
the fore end of the paper. By this means, the paper is not entirely lost
sight of at the moment when the aim is being taken. Mr. Andersson also
pinches the paper into a ridge along the middle of the gun, to ensure a
more defined foresight.
Nocturnal Animals.--There are a large number of night-feeding animals,
upon whose flesh a traveller might easily support himself, but of whose
existence he would have few indications by daylight observation only. The
following remarks of Professor Owen, in respect to Australia are very
suggestive:--"All the marsupial animals--and it is one of their curious
peculiarities--are nocturnal. Even the kangaroo, which is the least so,
is scarcely ever seen feeding out on the plains in broad daylight: it
prefers the early morning dawn, or the short twilight; and, above all,
the bright moonlight nights.
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