SAMOAN GROUP. 



151 



m 



jection, which serves to attach the sinnet, and to connect and bind it 

 closely to the adjoining one. It is surprising to see the 

 labour bestowed on uniting so many small pieces, where 

 large and good planks might be obtained. Before the pieces 

 are joined, the gum from the bark of the bread-fruit tree 

 is used to cement them close and prevent leakage. These 

 canoes retain their form much more truly than one would 

 have supposed, and I saw few whose original model had 

 been impaired by service. On the outside, the pieces are 

 so closely fitted as frequently to require close examination 

 before the seams can be detected. This perfection of work- 

 manship is astonishing to those who see the tools with which 

 it is executed. They are now made of no more than a piece of iron 

 tied to a stick, and used as an adze. This, with a gimlet, is all they 

 have, and before they obtained these iron tools, they used adzes made 

 of hard stone or fish-bones. These canoes are built with a deck 

 forward and aft. They are long and narrow, and their shape is 

 elegant. They are paddled by natives who sit two abreast, and are 

 guided by a steersman. The seat of honour is on the forward deck, in 

 the centre of which is a row of pegs, to which the large white ovula 



3A.MOAN CANOE. 



shell is attached by way of ornament. The natives find no difficulty 

 in occupying this place, as they manage to sit in almost any position 

 with ease to themselves ; but a stranger who attempts it, and is for 

 any time confined to one of these places of honour, will repent of the 

 distinction he enjoys before many minutes are over. One of our 

 gentlemen was treated with this distinction, and will long recollect 

 the words of the song they sing. 



" Lelei tusilava le tau mua, 

 Leango tusilava le tau muri." 



