226 DESCRIPTION OF HUTS. 



stor}^; with a space of three feet between it and the 

 ceihng". The sides and roof are formed of slender 

 poles or rafters arching* over from side to side^ 

 secm^ed by lashings of rattan to five poles running- 

 lengthways ; the whole forming a strong framework 

 thatched over with coarse grass pulled up by the 

 roots in large tufts^ with a few cocoa-palm leaves 

 laid over all. The lower part of the sides and 

 upper portion of the ends under the overhanging 

 g'ables are formed by strips of coarse matting. 

 There are usually entrances at both ends^ and the 

 centre of one side^ closed by a flap of matting finer 

 than the rest. Opposite each door an inclined 

 beam — one end of which rests on the ground^ and 

 the other leans against the fork of a short upright 

 post — serves as a step for mounting by. 



Near these huts were several large sheds, open at 

 one side^ where the cooking is performed^— judging 

 from the remains of fires under them. On two 

 small stages^ planked over^ we saw a number of 

 thin and neatly carved earthen pots^ blackened with 

 smoke * these are usually a foot in diameter^ but 

 one was as much as eighteen inches. I was struck 

 with a feature exhibiting- the cleanly habits of these 

 savages^ from whom in this respect the inhabitants 

 of many villag'es in the mother country might take 

 a lesson^ — it consisted in the well swept ground^ 

 where not a stray stone or leaf w^as suffered to re- 

 main^ and the absence about the dwellings of every- 

 thing offensive to the smell or sight. I could not 



