The Twentieth Century 209 



The remaining properties, in the construction of which much ingenuity 

 may be displayed, aie as follows: — 



Stethescope (e.g. Voice-pipe headpiece) 



Thermometer (e.g. Guage glass) 



Lancet ( e.g. Cutlass or Javelin ) 



Medicine (Sea-water, with a flavouring of quinine, in a 



large variety of bottles ) 

 Pills ( Dough, 'Taound" if desired with horse-hair, and 



flavoured with garlic or other tasty but harmless 



concoction ) 

 Razors (Made of carefuUy smoothed wood) 



Shaving brushes (Whitewash brush size) 



Note: The common attribute of all these properties is their exaggerated size. 



Costumes 



In general, the design of the costumes can be left to local talent and imagi- 

 nation. 



The Bears, however, not only have to look something like Bears, but they 

 have to spend the greater part of the day in the bath. There are many ways 

 of meeting these requirements, but the following specification, taken from 

 the account of H.M.S. Renown when Crossing the Line in Apru, 1920, may 

 be of help: 



The basic part of the costimie was black canvas hghtly thriunmed 

 with yams. A fearsome embellishment of teased-out spun yam, like 

 phenomenal furs of an unknown species, thickly draped their necks, 

 shoulders and waists ... on their heads they wore navy socks in 

 the manner of fishermen's caps. 



The important point is that the "foundation" should be strong enough to 

 withstand the clutching hands of struggling initiates. 



Identification of Initiates 



There are four methods by which those who have not previously crossed 

 the Line can be identified: — 



(a) By inspection of Service Certificates — laborious and not 

 100% certain. 



( b ) By direct enquiry — not very satisfactory, and tends to detract 

 from the excitement. 



(c ) By a detailed enquiry addressed to Leading Hands of Messes, 

 calling for the names of those members of their Mess who have 

 previously crossed the Line, and if more than twice, how many 



