184 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



prow of a boat, and the part behind termi- 

 nates in an acute angle ; the spaces between 

 the bars are filled up with a fine netting of 

 leathern thongs, except that part behind the 

 main bar, which is occupied by the feet; 

 the netting is there close and strong, and 

 the foot is attached to the main bar by 

 straps passing round the heel but only fixing 

 the toes, so that the heel rises after each 

 step, and the tail of the shoe is dragged on 

 the snow. Between the main bar and ano- 

 ther in front of it, a small space is left, per- 

 mitting the toes to descend a little in the 

 act of raising the heel to make the step for- 

 ward, which prevents their extremities from 

 chafing. The length of a snow-shoe is from 

 four to six feet, and the breadth one foot 

 and a half, or one foot and three quarters, 

 being adapted to the size of the wearer. 

 The motion of walking in them is perfectly 

 natural, for one shoe is level with the snow, 

 when the edge of the other is passing over 

 it. It is not easy to use them among bushes, 

 without frequent overthrows, nor to rise 

 afterwards without help. Each shoe weighs 



