THE DA U. 



75 



some monstrous fish, presents an exceptional 

 physiognomy. The nncouth Arab Dan (dow) 

 dates probably from the days of the Phoenicians, 

 and is fonnd all over the Indian Ocean. She 

 ranges from 50 to 500 tons, and her sharp pro- 

 jecting bow makes her deck nearly a quarter 

 longer than the keel, giving her, when under 

 weigh, a peculiar stumbling, shambling, totter- 

 ing gait. The open poop is a mass of immense 

 outworks, and there is the normal giant steer- 

 ing-tackle, often secured only by lashings : a sin- 

 gle mast is stepped a little ahead of amidships ; 

 it rakes forward, as is the rule of primitive craft, 

 and it supports a huge square sail of coarse 

 material. The Kidau (small dow) is similar, but 

 with open stern-cabins ; it is generally sewn 

 together with coir or rope of cocoa fibre, and 

 caulked with the same. The bottom is paid 

 over with a composition of lime and shark' s-oil, 

 which, hardening under water, preserves the 

 hull from sea-worms. Thus sheathed, ships 

 which have made two feet of leakage become 

 tight as if newly coppered. Similarly, the Irish 

 fishermen coat their craft with marl and oil. 

 Talc and tallow are employed in different parts 

 of Europe : and the Chinese use a putty of oil 

 and burnt gypsum ; according to others, a com- 



