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GRINNELL 



wooden handle, is used to chip off the wood in little 

 flakes, both from the outside and inside until the shell is 

 reduced to the proper thickness. 



After the canoe is shaped, the gunwales are slightly 

 sprung apart, by wetting with water brought almost to 



CARVING OF TLINKIT CANOE. 



the boiling point by means of heated stones, so as to give 

 greater flare to the sides, and in the larger canoes are held 

 in position by braces or narrow strips of timber stretch- 

 ing across the boat, and sewed or lashed to the gunwales 

 by cedar twigs made flexible by steaming. Smaller canoes 

 need no such braces. The Indians have no models and 

 the eye is the only guide in making the canoe, but the 

 lines are always correct and always graceful. 



Paddles are variously made of spruce, hemlock, and 

 sometimes of maple brought from the south. They are 

 from four to five feet long, and vary in shape of blade and 

 handle with the different tribes. Some have a cross piece 

 for a handle ; others are straight. Usually the blade is 

 about four inches wide and terminates in a long, sharp 

 point. Sometimes the blades are ornamented with carv- 

 ings. 



The canoes are never left in the water. When brought 

 to shore the occupant steps out on the beach and lifts or 

 drags the canoe up above high-water mark. This must 

 be done, for a very little battering by the sea, or a knock 

 or two on the beach, might split and ruin the boat. 

 When on the beach, exposed to the air and sun, it is 

 always covered by cloths or skins which are kept wet, 



