366 FEEJEE GROUP. 



is a staging, on which there is space for several people to sit. The 

 frames of the canoes which belong to chiefs are much ornamented 

 with shells. 



The sails are so large as to appear out of all proportion to the vessel, 

 and are made of tough yet pliable mats. The mast is about half the 

 length of the canoe, and the yard and boom are usually twice as long 

 as the mast. The mast is stepped on deck in a chock. The figure 

 on preceding page represents one of these canoes. 



The halyards are passed over a crescent on the head of the mast. 

 These are bent on nearly the length of the mast, from the tack of the 

 yard. 



The natives are very expert in managing these vessels, and it 

 requires no small skill in beating against the wind to do so. In 

 sailing the canoe, it is always necessary that the out-rigger should be 

 towards the weather side: this is easily effected by proper care; the 

 mode of tacking becomes therefore curious, and is performed by put- 

 ting the helm up instead of down. When the wind is thus brought aft, 

 the tack of the sail is carried to the other end of the canoe, which now 

 becomes the bow, and the course on the other tack is then pursued. 

 If the out-rigger gets to leeward while the canoe is under sail, some 

 accident always happens, for no kind of vessel is so easily overturned ; 

 and yet, when they are properly managed, they will carry sail when 

 it blows heavily, and still preserve almost an upright position : this is 

 effected by the natives going out on the out-rigger, and thus counter- 

 balancing the force of the wind by their weight. The canoes are 

 made of logs hollowed out and built upon, and show a great deal of 

 ingenuity : they are capable of making long voyages. The only food 

 they provide themselves with for sea, is said to be yams. Altogether, 

 they have a pretty effect, covered as they are with white shells 

 (Cyprsea ovula), and ornamented by white pennants. They use cocoa- 

 nut shells to preserve their water in, and with a fire and ava-bowl are 

 equipped for sea. 



It is the custom for the chief always to hold the end of the sheet ; 

 thus it is his task to prevent the danger of upsetting. They steer with 

 an oar having a large blade. In smooth water these canoes sail with 

 great swiftness, but from the weight and force of the sail they are 

 much strained, leaking at times very badly, requiring always one and 

 sometimes two men to be constantly baling out the water. Notwith- 

 standing all this, they make very long voyages, — to Tonga, Rotuma, 



