76 



the 1 grab: 



position of lime and resin of the Tongshu-tree 

 applied over the oakum of bamhoo (Astley, 

 4, 128). 



The 6 Grab ' (properly ' Ghurab,' meaning a 

 raven) is an overgrown Pattimar. A model of 

 the latter craft, primitive and Hindu, was sub- 

 mitted to the British public during the Great 

 Exhibition. Rigged barque-like, it is wondrous 

 ark-like and uncouth. Baghlahs (she-mules) and 

 Ganjas (Ghancheh), from Cutch, are old tubs 

 with low projecting prows and elevated sterns, 

 elaborately carved and painted. Low down in the 

 fore, their lean bows split like giant wedges the 

 opposing waves, which hiss and seethe as they fly 

 past in broad arrow-heads. Dangerous in heavy 

 seas, these coffins are preserved by popular pre- 

 judice for the antique and by the difficulty of 

 choosing other models. Add sundry Batelas, 

 with poop-cabinets, closed and roomy, some 

 with masts struck, others ready to weigh anchor 

 — I am not writing, gentle reader, a report on 

 Moslem naval architecture — and you have an 

 idea of the outlandish fleet, interesting withal, 

 which bethrongs the port of Zanzibar. 



The much-puffed squadron of the late Sayyid, 

 stationed during his life at Mto-ni, and now 

 being divided amongst the rival heirs, flanks 



