The Rising Of

Palolo

Letter to the Editor IREAD with interest an article in a recent issue by A.M.A. on the Palolo.

He is wrong, however, when he says that no European can tell for certain when it rises.

The accepted idea is that only the old natives know when it occurs. These na tives simply watch the moon to get their information. For many years I took note of the morning on which it rose, and every one was on the third quarter of the moon.

A.M.A. asserts that two days after full moon is the approximate date. Again he is wrong, for the third quarter is not until seven or eight days after full moon. To find the correct date of the third quarter, let A.M.A. use a calendar printed south of the line, otherwise if he takes the third quarter as stated on an English almanac he will arrive exactly a day late.

There are two risings—the small one and the big rising. The months differ—one year it will come up in October and No vember, and another in November and December. Anyhow A.M.A. will know by the smell cf the scum that rises a few days before the Palolo itself.

Very few people know that it is the change of tide on the third quarter of the moon that makes the Palolo rise at day light or later. It does not always rise at daylight, as I found out in 1933. I had gone to the outer patch where it comes up usually; all the signs were there—but no Palolo. I gave up waiting about eight o’clock and returned to the plantation. On my way home via the second patch I saw it rise at half-past eight.

The above information should save people many fruitless trips to the reef. To

save A.M.A. wasting his own time I sug gest that he should go out on November 4, 1936, when he will get Palolo for certain.

He has no hope of seeing any if he fol lows his own method of going out two days after full moon. Palolo will also rise this year on December 4.

I am, etc.,

Arthur Robinson.

Natovo Estate, Vanua Devu, Fiji.