CANVAS-BACK. 335 



work F and G, and which, from their peculiar construction and 

 attachment to the solid platform, oppose a pliable but at the 

 same time safe resistance to the shock of the waves. 



It is most important to know exactly how to attach the anchors 

 to the battery, more particularly the one at the head ; for without 

 proper precaution on this point the whole machine would ride 

 most unpleasantly to the shooter at the slightest puff of Old 

 Boreas. 



To explain this more fully, we have caused two points or dots 

 L, L to be placed on the model at the head of the box, to show 

 the position of the ends of the rope to which the anchor is 

 attached, and have defined above the manner in which the cable 

 of the anchor is to be secured to the light of this rope. 



The advantages of this arrangement should at once be obvious 

 to the greenest landsman ; for the head of the platform, being in a 

 measure free from restraint, is permitted to rise and fall with the 

 swell of the sea, with an easy motion, thus protecting the shooter 

 from the disagreeable consequences of the waves breaking in over 

 the deck, which would be the inevitable result if the anchor was 

 attached to the extreme end of the platform ; as the head of the 

 battery, during a heavy blow, would be pulled entirely under 

 water, and the whole machine, even during a comparative calm, 

 would be subjected to a jerking, disagreeable motion. 



The position of the foot-anchor we have designated by the point 

 M, and requires no further explanation. 



At the bottom of the box there is a false bottom, or drainage- 

 board, which takes up an inch and a half of the original depth. 

 Notwithstanding this additional loss of space, there is still sufficient 

 room remaining of the thirteen and a half inches not only to ac- 

 commodate, but absolutely to hide below the surface of the plat- 

 form, the shooter himself, as well as the sheepskin or buffalo-robe 

 upon which he reposes. 



As to the amount of ballast necessary for a battery such as W6 

 nave described, that must be regulated by the state of the wind 

 and waves, and other circumstances; it will vary, however, from 



