THE INDIAN OCEAN. 



315 



water, preventing the capsizing of the proa in that 

 direction ; while the weight of the apparatus, called 

 ail outrigger, prevents the same accident on the 

 other. A mast rises perpendicularly from the wind- 

 ward edge of the proa, fastened to the heel of the 

 outrigger ; a bamboo vard is slung near the mast- 



rilUAS UF THE LAUr.U.NKS. 



head, so that its foot shall come into the boat in 

 a diagonal direction near the head, there being a 

 socket at each end to receive the foot of the yard, 

 according as the proa is on either tack. The sail 

 attached is made of matting, and is triangular, the 

 lower side being fastened to a boom running hori- 

 zontally from the foot of the yard over the stern. 

 When it is intended to alter tlie course by going 

 upon another tack, the foot of the yard is lifted 

 trom the one socket, carried round to leeward, and 



