Figure 281.—Eel hook (matau tuna):

a, A piece of hard wood about 2 inches long is rounded to a diameter of 0.15 inch to serve as the shank (1) and a shorter piece (2), 1 inch long, is similarly rounded and brought to a point at one end. The other end of the short piece and one end of the shank are then cut on a slant, each at an obtuse angle so that when fitted together, they form the acute angle desired (3). b, The two pieces are fitted together and bound with a thin strip of fau bast (4) that has been rolled into a single ply thread on the thigh. The commencing end of the thread is slanted up-ward on the shank and the turns commencing near the point of the junction are worked upwards towards the open angle. c, A few figure of eight turns (5) are then made around each element alternately. d, A longitudinal turn (6) is then taken from the open angle around the lower point, where the thread passes between the two wooden elements. This is the characteristic circumferential turn invariably used to prevent a lashing from slipping. A few turns are then taken around the shank and finished off with a half hitch. e, A strip of fau bast (7) wider than the shank is doubled around the lower end of the hook and brought upwards on each side of the shank; f, the lower end is again bound as before but over the added strip and the figure of eight turns around each wooden element and the longitudinal turn (6) over the lower point of junction are also made. The binding (8) is then continued up the shank alone so that the bast strip on either side come together and completely conceal the shank. At the upper end of the shank, the wrapping ceases and a half hitch is made through which the thread end passes twice to form the fixation knot. The two ends of the bast strip which is long are split up into narrower pieces, and divided into three equal lots, with one of which the end of the binding thread is incorporated. The three plies are plaited into a braid (9) for about 2 feet and finished with an overhand knot.