1829. 



AGUEllOs's DESCllIPTION. 



285 



water, is admirably adapted for the purpose. The upper plank- 

 ing consists of three or four broad boards on each side, sewn 

 together, and their seams caulked. The wood of which they 

 are made is the roble, or sometimes tiqui- 



Agiieros's description of the construction of a piragua cannot 

 be improved. " They are constructed of five or seven planks, 

 each of which is from two to four fathoms long, half or three- 

 fourths of a yard wide, and two or three inches thick. These 

 are fashioned, or worked, narrow at each end, so as to form 

 the bow and stern, and afterwards are exposed to the fire, in 

 order to burn the outer surface on both sides. To unite these 

 planks, they bore or burn holes, two inches from each other, 

 along the edges of the planks, through which they sew them 

 together with a rope of solid reeds (soquillas), or twisted cane 

 (coligues), forming a junction as close as a seam of cloth. To 

 prevent water from passing through the seams, they apply 

 along the plank, within and without, pounded leaves of trees, 

 over which they pass the stitches, and with the same prepara- 

 tion of leaves the holes are filled up. Thus constructed, it is 

 in appearance a perfect boat, or vessel, but without keel or deck. 

 That they may resist the pressure of the water, and retain their 

 shape, curved pieces (curbas) of wood, called ' barrotes' are 

 fitted inside, and fastened by wedges of wood, instead of nails. 

 For all this, they are dangerous; and, since their sails, oars, 

 and other furniture are very inferior to what boats require, 

 they are much exposed to be easily sunk, and the risk is greatly 

 increased by want of care and management in those who navi- 

 gate them." 



In the above description AgUeros has given a very good 

 account of the rude manner in which they are built, and has not 

 in the least magnified the danger attendant on their use. It 

 is, indeed, a miserable and unsafe vessel ; and for the rudeness 

 of its construction, and the poverty of its equipment, is a per- 

 fect prototype of the crew which it conveys. 



The largest have from eight to ten people, each of whom 

 furnishes one poncho, and the 'patron,' who steers, nnd directs 



