78 MADRAS FISH RRIES BULLETIN VOL. XII, 



contrary, each in two pieces, one to each side ; the inner end of 

 each half is lashed with rattan to a stout crossbar or thwart, 

 morticed into the side of the dugout (PI. VII, fig. XII). All the 

 booms pass through the lower of the two wash-strakes sewn upon 

 the edges of the dugout basis. 



The fore and the aft booms are straight poles; the centre one 

 (in those with three booms — the usual number) is curved downwards 

 towards its distal end in small and medium-sized boats; in the 

 largest sizes it may be straight with an L-shaped arm or inter- 

 mediary passing down to the float, which in such cases is made 

 usually of three stout bamboos lashed side by side. This L-arm 

 is cut from a naturally-grown bend. To keep the booms rigid 

 an ingenious system of braces is employed. Those fitted to the 

 fore and the aft booms are bow-shaped squared timbers, which 

 are lashed firmly athwart the canoe, concave side upwards, and 

 immediately above the booms (Pis. VI and VII, figs. XI and XIII). 



Three or sometimes four nearly vertical rods are intercalated 

 at intervals between the brace and the boom, carefully and neatly 

 served with rattan in order to keep them in position. The object 

 of this device is to maintain the boom straight and to prevent it 

 from becoming" bent upwards as is its tendency owing to the 

 frequent upward thrust on its extremity when in rough water 

 or when a surge passes under the canoe. The extremities of 

 the stout transverse brace timbers are usually expanded into 

 ornamented heads, carved to match the decoration of the stern 

 (PI. VII, fig. XIII). Y-shaped crutches are also inserted in holes in 

 these braces, to carry the mast and other gear. In large boats 

 an elliptical crutch frame — a double bow — is fitted near the stern 

 for the same purpose. 



In boats with three booms, the median one, composed of two 

 sections as already noted, is braced in a different manner ; each 

 section of the boom when it passes outwards from the side of the 

 canoe is inclined slightly upwards ; hence the brace used here is 

 straight. It passes athwart the hull and at each end is lashed 

 to the upper side of the boom on that side ; one or two short struts 

 are placed between the brace and the boom to keep them rigid. 



In boats with four booms, the whole four are sometimes 

 composed each of one entire pole ; in such ease the inverted 

 bow-brace is used for all. In others the first, third and fourth 

 booms are of this discription, the second only having the srraight 

 brace described above. 



