OUTFIT FOR TRAVELLING 347 



cases should weigh more than fifty or sixty pounds. Each case 

 should be marked with its contents and gross and net weight in 

 kilos. 



For personal baggage the light fibre sample case used by 

 travelling men in the United States does admirably. The regulation 

 fibre case with its metal binding sold for the piu-pose is too heavy 

 and has the bad feature of swelling up under the influence of rain 

 and dampness, often necessitating the use of an axe or heavy 

 hammer to remove cover. 



The ordinary fibre trunk is good for rail and steamer travel, but 

 it is absolutely unpractical for mule-back or canoe. The fibre 

 sample case could be developed into a container particularly 

 fitted for exploration. The fibre should be soaked in hot paraffin 

 and then hot-calendered or hot-pressed. This case could then 

 be covered with waterproof canvas with throat opening like a 

 duffel-bag. 



The waterproof duffel-bags usually sold are too light in texture 

 and wear through. A heavier grade should be used. The small 

 duffel-bag is very convenient for hammock and clothing, but 

 generally the thing wanted will be at the bottom of the bag ! We 

 took with us a number of small cotton bags. As cotton is very 

 absorbent, I had them paraffined. Each bag was tagged, and all 

 were placed in the large duffel-bag. The light fibre case 

 described above, made just the right size for mule pack, divided 

 by partitions, and covered with a duffel-bag, would prove a great 

 convenience. 



The light steel boxes made in England for travellers in India 

 and Africa would prove of value in South American exploration. 

 They have the advantage of being insect and water proof and the 

 disadvantage of being expensive. 



It would be well if the traveller measured each case for personal 

 equipment and computed the limit of weight that it could carry 

 and still float. By careful distribution of light and heavy articles 

 in the different containers he could be sure of his belongings 

 floating if accidentally thrown into the water. 



It is not always possible to get comfortable native saddles. They 

 are all constructed on heavy lines with thick padding, which be- 

 comes water-soaked in the rainy season. A United States military 



