17 
The fishing craft is represented altogether by the canoe, 
“the dug-out,” of varying sizes, regulated by the number 
of persons carried, viz., from five to one. They are 
generally hollowed out, by the adze and burning of the 
trunk, of the silk cotton (Bombax), or of a species of fig. 
Canoes most frequently used are those for three persons ; 
they are propelled by paddles, the shapes of which vary 
tribally, the occupant (or occupants) resting on his knees, 
on his haunches, or standing erect, or perched on seats— 
cross sticks, secured by tie-tie on gunwale of canoe. 
They are sometimes built up at the sides when required 
for commercial transport purposes, for ferry-boats or as war- 
canoes. The ordinary sized fishing canoe is propelled by 
three men, one of whom, occupying the stern, propels and 
steers, his main duty being the latter ; and in their manage- 
ment of the craft they are surprisingly clever. 
Transport is mainly effected by means of rivers and 
lagoons, viz., inland waterways, so far as water can be 
made use of, and on the heads of natives by land, as was 
experienced in the Ashantee war, 1873-4. 
For water transport, canoes abound. The carrying power 
of canoes is judged by the number of persons or casks of 
oil each will carry. Their sizes accordingly vary from what 
can contain from two to eighty persons, or from two to 
sixteen puncheons of oil. 
Bar-boats of seven to eight tons have been used at Lagos ; 
only for commercial purposes, as the means for the transfer 
of cargoes from ship to shore, and of produce from shore to 
ship. They have been only used by the mercantile.houses, 
but since the African Steamship Companies have supplied 
to Lagos and the rivers their own branch steamers, the 
number of bar-boats have considerably decreased, and 
their use is daily becoming a thing of the past. 
[33] c 
