136 EKV. GEO. PATTEESON ON THE BEOTIIIKS 



Of their canoes he gives an exact account. "The principle on which the Red Indian 

 canoe is constructed is, perhaps, nowhere else to be met with. It has in a manner no 

 bottom at all, the sides beginning- at the very keel, and from thence running up in a 

 straight line to the edge or gunwale. A transverse section of it at any part whatever 

 makes an acute angle, ouly that it is not sharpened to a perfect angnlar point, but is 

 somewhat rouuded to take in the slight r^d that serves by way of keel. This rod is the 

 thickest in the middle (being in that part about the size of the handle of a common 

 hatchet), tapering each way and terminating with the slender curved extremities of the 

 canoe. The form of this keel will then, it is evident, be the same as the outline of the 

 long section, which, when represented on paper, is nearly, if not exactly, the half of an 

 ellipse longitudinally divided. Having thus drawn the keal, whose two ends become 

 also similar stems to the canoe, the side may be easily completed after this manner. Per- 

 pendicular to the middle of the keel, and at two-thirds the height of its extremities, make 

 a point. Between this central and the extreme points describe each way a catenarian 

 arch with a free curve, and you will have the form of the side, as well as a section of the 

 canoe. The coat or shell of the canoe is made of the largest and fairest sheets of birch 

 rind that can be procured. Its form being nothing more than two sides joined together 

 where the keel is to be introduced, it is very easily sewed together entire. The sewing 

 is perfectly neat and performed with spruce roots split to the proper size. That along 

 the gunwale is like our neatest basket work. The seams are payed over with a sort of 

 gum, appearing to be a preparation of turpentine, oil and ochre, and which effectually re- 

 sists the water. The sides are kept apart, and their proper distance preserved, by means 

 of a thwart of about two fingers substance, whose ends are lodged on the rising points 

 above mentioned in the middle of the gunwale. The extension used when this thwart 

 is introduced lessens in some degree the strength of the canoe by drawing in still more 

 its curling ends. It also fixes the extreme breadth in the middle, which is requisite in a 

 vessel having similar stems, and intended for advancing with either of them foremost, 

 and by bulging oiit its sides gives them a perceptible convexity much more beautiful 

 than their first form. The gunwales are made with tapering sticks, two on each side, 

 the thick ends of which meet on the rising points with the ends of the main thwart, and 

 being moulded in the shape of the canoe, their small ends terminate with those of the 

 keel rod on the extremities of each stem. On the outside of the proper gunwales, with 

 which they exactly correspond, and connected with them by a few thongs, are also false 

 gunwales fixed there for the same purpose as we use fenders. The inside is lined entirely 

 with sticks two or three inches broad, cut flat and thin and placed length-ways, over 

 which others again are crossed, that being bent in the middle extend up each side to the 

 gunwale, where they are secured, serving as timbers. A short thwart near each end to 

 preserve the canoe from twisting, or being bulged more open than proper, makes it com- 

 plete. It may readily be conceived from its form and light fabric that being put into the 

 water it would lie flat on one side, with the keel and gunwale both at the surface. But 

 being bTiUasted with stones it settles to a proper depth in the water and then swims 

 upright, when a covering of sods and moss being laid on the stones the Indians kneel on 

 them and manage the canoe with paddles. In fine weather they sometimes set a sail on a 

 very slight mast fastened to the middle thwart. But this is a practice for which these 



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