VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR, 335 



in the forefts the compafs is his guide ; 

 and, every where elfe, mechanics furiiiihes 

 him with the means of efcaping from the 

 mo ft difficult fitua tic ns. Thefe means vary 

 according to circumftances ; but it would 

 be improper here to enter into farther de- 

 tails on this fubjedt, I mud, however, 

 obferve, that a kind of hammoc like thofe 

 employed in the colonies for carrying wo- 

 men and children, would be of infinite' 

 utility to thofe who travel in thefe wild 

 countries. This hammoc muR be licjht' 

 and water-proof ; it fhould be made there- 

 fore of very ftrong canvas, covered with 

 gura elaftic difTolved in linfeed-oil, a kind 

 of varniCh ufcd for coniining the infiam- 

 mable air in balloons. Such a hanimoc 

 may be employed, not only as a bed, by fuf- 

 pending it between two trees j but, by 

 means of a bainboo, it may be converted 

 alfo into a vehicle for tranfponing the tra- 

 veller 



