ETHNOLOGY HEDLBY. 287 



outrigger float. On either side of it, fore and aft, stout pegs, four 

 or five inches long, are driven an inch or so into the solid timber 

 of the outrigger float, to which the outrigger is secured by lashing 

 pegs and outrigger firmly together (Plate xv., fig. 7). This seems 

 to be an exceptional method. In other archipelagoes the outrigger 

 is usually a straight unbranched pole, to which are fastened long 

 stakes driven into the outrigger float. A modification of this is 

 well shown by Finsch from the Louisiades.* The four-inch pegs 

 just mentioned appear to be the homologues of these stakes. 



Another method used in Funafuti (Plate xv., fig. 6), is to bore 

 the float horizontally and pass a lashing through the hole and 

 round the outrigger tip. Yet another way of binding the outrigger 

 to the float has been described to me by Mr. S. Sinclair, who saw 

 it practised in Eromanga, New Hebrides. Here the whole struc- 

 ture of outriggers and appurtenances takes to pieces and is packed 

 up when not in use ; when set up, a forked outrigger, like that of 

 Funafuti, is lashed by the butt across the hull, while the distal 

 extremity is received into a socket in the float, to which it is 

 secured by fore and aft rope guys leading from the float to the 

 fork, the whole structure is therefore flexible instead of rigid. 

 There are numerous undescribed methods of attaching the float to 

 the outrigger ; indeed this subject alone would provide material 

 for a treatise of value and interest. 



The float is a round straight log, ten feet long, six inches in 

 diameter, distant four feet from the hull, pointed at both ends. 

 In use it swims awash ; when the canoe is heeled gradually over, 

 a capsize occurs the instant the float is lifted clear of the 

 water. 



The outrigger platform is completed by three or more stretchers, 

 lashed across the outriggers at intervals, the outside one being 

 always fastened beyond the fork. In Funafuti the platform is 

 only used for carrying paddles, masts, poling sticks, fishing rods, 

 and such gear ; it is never sat upon. In New Guinea I frequently 

 made canoe journeys with the natives ; there the outrigger platform 

 is always assigned to a chief or "dim dim " (white man) as the seat 

 of honour ;f on it I have sat all day and slept all night. On my 

 first canoe trip in Funafuti I at once attempted to climb on to 

 my accustomed perch, an act which not only evoked a howl of 

 remonstrance but nearly upset the canoe. My apparent rudeness 

 and awkwardness taught me with humiliation the difference in 

 the build of outrigged canoes. 



For gunwale rails poles are served along each side to the thwarts, 

 but such rails are not always present. 



* Finsch loc. cit., pi. vi., fig. 4. 



t Compare Moseley Journ. Anthrop. Inst., vi., 1877, p. 405. 



