86 CANOES AND A VOYAGE 



These strips cover the lines of junction on inner and 

 outer surfaces of the canoe, and all crevices are thoroughly 

 plugged with fibrous material. 



The thwarts (" Amanga ") on which the paddlers sit 

 are fastened in a peculiarly ingenious manner, so that they 

 also serve to brace the sides. 



Each rests on the upper margin of the lower side plank, 

 which is notched to receive it, as is also the lower margin 

 of the plank above ; the thwart itself is grooved, not 

 quite at the extremity, so that its actual end is visible 

 as a knob (" Empumi ") on the outside of the canoe. 

 The grooves in the thwart and notches in the planks all 

 correspond, so that everything fits as closely as possible, 

 and leakage is prevented by plugging. All the holes 

 through which pass the fibres fastening the planks are 

 tightly plugged, and as the plugging swells in the water 

 a good canoe leaks very little, although no resinous or 

 tarry material of any kind is used. 



A peculiarity of these canoes is that right forward a 

 long spike projects out from each side, made by a thwart 

 (" E 'garni ") fitted exactly as are the paddlers' seats, 

 with which it is serially homologous ; but its outer ends 

 are produced into spikes instead of being rounded off 

 into mere knobs. This projection is of great use when a 

 heavy canoe has to be hauled up on the shore, but I do 

 not know if that is why it was designed in the first place. 



Another feature is the upturned prow (" Ensanda "). 

 It was said that the part of the keel left projecting beyond 

 the stem post is not hollowed out, and gradually tapers 

 off. Over this is fitted one arm of a large right-angled 

 piece of wood, whose other arm therefore projects 

 upwards into the air for two or three feet, and several 

 feet forward of the real bow of the canoe, and makes an 

 excellent breakwater against waves. The projecting keel 

 gives an extra lift to the bow of the canoe, so that they 

 are excellent sea boats, though the prominent prow and 



