INTRODUCTION. 91 



having no other tool but a cutlass and a common 

 spear-knife; it was then handed to the women, 

 who painted it with rucu * and lana^ the former of 

 which colours red, the latter black. 



The Indian sits or squats on the thwart of the 

 canoe, fronting or looking towards the bow, and 

 grasping the handle with his right hand ; if he sits 

 on the larboard side, he puts the left just a little 

 above the blade of the paddle, strikes outward 

 into the water, and having pulled forward, gives 

 the blade a slight turn, so as to present the edge, 

 and prevent unnecessary splashing when he with- 

 draws it in order to repeat the former move- 

 ment. There is no rudder to steer by, but the 

 Indian who acts as coxswain has a paddle of 

 larger dimensions, and, taking his seat at the stern, 

 he directs the course of the boat with as much 

 agility as if the canoe possessed one of the common 

 rudders. 



Their mode of paddling is various; if it be on 

 a long intended journey, a long and strong stroke 

 is required ; but if perhaps only a short distance is 

 to be made, or on approaching a settlement, the 

 stroke is varied ; and keeping a certain time, the 

 handle is knocked against the side of the canoe at 

 each stroke, sometimes twice slow and thrice in 



* It is produced from the red pulp which covers the seeds 

 of the Bixa orellana; perhaps better known in England by the 

 name of amatto, where it is much used for dyeing cheese. The 

 lana is the fruit of Genipa Americana^ the juice of which gives 

 a fine black dye. 



