THE CHILKA. 191 



examination shows them to be mere 

 oblong boxes, with flat bottom and 

 flat perpendicular sides, about six feet 

 wide by thirty or thirty-five feet long. 

 They are of about ten tons burden, 

 and are very strongly built of sal wood 

 planks an inch and a half thick. As 

 the lake is of nearly uniform depth 

 throughout and has seldom more than 

 two fathoms of water, it is everywhere 

 possible to pole these boats. A stout 

 plank runs along each gunwale, and 

 three or even four men pole on each 

 side, sending the heavy craft at a fair 

 pace through the water. But when the 

 wind is aft two great bamboos are 

 reared, one on each side of the boat, 

 between which is stretched a rude mat, 

 strengthened by cross-pieces, and under 



