92 



INTRODUCTION. 



double quick time. A European, unacquainted with 

 their mode of paddling, is awkward, and is sure to 

 draw their ridicule upon himself, by ki^ocking the 

 fingers of the hand which is near the blade against 

 the canoe ; but an Indian paddles with grace, and 

 his arm forms a fine arch, showing what sinews he 

 possesses. 



The canoe is fiat on the bow and stem, and in 

 order to prevent the water from getting into it, two 

 pieces of wood cut according to its shape are fitted 

 in, which the Indian never fails to ornament accord- 

 ing to his fashion. 



The corial narrows to a point towards the stern 

 and bow. Like the canoes, they are scooped out 

 from the trunk of a tree, and have no keel, — 

 which indeed would be quite a superfluous appen- 

 dage, as it would be soon knocked off by coming 

 in contact with sunken rocks, or when drawn over 

 cataracts. 



The pakasse^ or woodskin, is a boat merely con- 

 structed of the bark of a tree. It is generally 

 made of a single piece of the tough bark of the 

 muiHanara tree, which grows to a very large size. 

 An incision of the length the boat is to possess is 

 made in the bark, which is removed from the trunk 

 by driving in wedges ; w^hen loosened from the 

 wood, it is kept open by cross sticks, and is sup- 

 ported at the extremities upon two beams, in order 

 to raise those parts of the intended boat. Vertical 

 incisions, at about two feet apart, and a few inches 

 in depth^ are then made, and the parts secured 



