256 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF GUIANA INDIANS [ETH, ANN. 38 
where two are attached to form the framework of the door or doors. 
The main post is next climbed by tying rungs across it, one above the 
other, and the “ crosstree ” lashed on at the top (C). The crosstree 
consists of two equally long pairs of sticks (e), tied at right angles, 
one pair being in the same vertical plane as the two intermediate 
framing (door) posts. That portion of the main post above the 
crosstree will, on completion of the thatching, remain exposed. Four 
pairs of rafters (7) are next placed in position (D) with their 
thicker ends tied to the wall plate below, two of the pairs in close 
proximity to the intermediate framing (door) posts, the other two 
upon the circumference of 
the wall plate upon either 
side of the central fram- 
ing posts. The result of 
this arrangement is that 
the thinner tapering ex- 
tremities of the rafters 
can be conveniently tied to 
the outsides of each corre- 
sponding pair of cross- 
sticks, their fixation being 
further strengthened with 
a purlin (vg). A second 
purlin (/), likewise made 
on the ground, is hauled 
up and attached (E) to 
the rafters about halfway 
between crosstree and 
wall plate. The remain- 
ing rafters are next put in 
place; and finally (F) the 
Fic. 72.—Cireular house; construction of frame- 5 
work, showing the collar ties (1,1) of the inter. tiebeams (/) and collar 
HATO EHS. eet ey U2). ties (fig. 727,27). The walls 
and door are put in subsequently. The largest house of this descrip- 
tion that I saw was at the Makusi village of Maripai, the ground 
measurement of which was 50 feet, the height between 65 and 70 feet. 
This unusual size had been obtained by lengthening the side framing 
posts, thus raising the level of the wall plate to about 15 or 16 feet 
from the ground. Instead of an intermediate purlin about halfway 
between the crosstree and the wall plate, there may be two intermedi- 
ate ones. The collar ties that go to strengthen the purlin may be com- 
posed either of two pairs of sticks placed at right angles (fig.72 7, 7), 
i. e., of similar construction to the crosstree, or of three sticks attached 
at right angles to a fourth. Curiously enough, in all the tribes above 
