CHAPTER VIII. 



CANOES — FISHINQ — HUNTING. 



IN the eastern islands of the Solomon Group there is a considerable 

 uniformity in the construction of the canoe. " Dug-out " canoes 

 are rarely to be seen, except in the sheltered waters of some such 

 harbour as that of Makira, when they are provided with outriggers. 

 In the case of the built canoes, outriggers are not omploj^ed, and, in 

 truth, the general absence of outriggers is characteristic of this group. 

 The small-sized canoe, which is in common use amono-st the natives 

 of St. Christoval and the adjacent islands, measures fifteen or sixteen 

 feet in length and carries three men. The side is built of two 

 planks ; whilst two narrower planks form the rounded bottom. 

 Both stem and stern are prolonged upwards into beaks which are 

 rudelv carved : whilst the gunwale towards either end is ornamented 

 with representations both of fishes, such as sharks and bonitos, and 

 of sea-birds. The planks are sewn together, and the seams are 

 covered over with a resinous substance that is obtained from the 

 fruit of the Favinarium launnum whicli is a common tree throughout 

 the group. This resinous material takes some weeks to dry, when 

 it becomes dark and hard. 



Of tlie lai'ger canoes, which are similarly constructed, I will take 

 as the type the war-canoe. Its length is usually from 35 to 40 feet : 

 its sides are of three planks ; and the keel is fiat, the stem and stern 

 being continued upwards in the form of beaks. Native decorative 

 talent is brought into plaj' in the decoration of the war-canoe. Its 

 sides are inlaid with pieces, usuall3' triangular in form, of the pearl- 

 .shell of commerce {Meleagrina margaritifera) ; and the 

 small and large opercula belonging to shells of the Turhinida'. 

 with flat spn-al discs produced by grinding down orriinary Cone- 

 shells (Conidce) are similarly employed. Along the stem and beak 

 thei-e is usually attached a string of the handsome white cowries 



