114 
THE YOUNG SCIENTIST. 
the fastenings that bind them together. 
The next thing is to make two laps on each 
side, inclining toward the stern, as shown 
at a, a. This gives shape to the body of the 
canoe. As shown in Fig. 2, fit two thin 
strips, c, c, on each side of the gunwale, and 
fasten at bow and stern. Keep these apart 
by means of cross sticks, as at b, b. Shape 
the canoe, as near as possible, with stakes, 
sods or stones. Beginning in the middle, 
place ribs under the inside gunwale strips, 
fasten them, and continue bending until the 
bottom is reached, then bend up on the 
The length of the canoe is then measured 
off on the ground, and stakes driven there, 
two at each end. The bark covering is then 
folded lengthwise, the inside of the bark 
outward, and the ends inserted and held 
between the stakes. The ends must pro- 
ject enough to allow a strip of bark to be 
folded over the ends and then firmly sewed 
from top to bottom. The gunwale strips 
are then placed in position, the bark placed 
between the pieces and there sewed. Cross 
pieces are placed between the gunwales to 
keep the sides in shape, as at d, d. The 
Fi-. 1. 
Fig. 2. 
'oilier side totbe gunwale, cut off square and 
fasten firmly. Strings made of hickory, 
elm or bass wood bark, are used for bind- 
ing. The paddle is shown in Fig. 3. The 
Fig. 3. 
seat for the paddler or passengers must be 
in the bottom of the canoe. To sit other- 
wise would be at the risk of overturning. 
In building a canoe of birch bark (Fig. 4), 
the gunwales are first made of thin strips, 
preferably of cedar, about one-quarter inch 
thick and about one inch wide. One is to 
go on each inside, and one on each outside 
edge. The covering is prepared by sewing 
pieces of the bark together, which can be 
readily done before it gets dry and hard. 
inside is then shaped, and lined lengthwise 
with thin strips of cedar, and strengthened 
with ribs which are placed crosswise, then 
bent down to the bottom, and so tied and 
fastened. The seams of the bark are 
smeared with pine gum or pitch. 
The Ojibways had another method of 
making canoes. They dug a hole in the 
ground, the exact shape of the canoe to be 
built. Strips of thin wood about three 
inches wide, like barrel hoops, were laid ^ 
crosswise of the excavation, and pieces of 
like shape were placed lengthwise. These 
pieces were then pressed into the hole and 
tied together, the hole being a sort of 
mould in which to press the strips, and so 
retain them until fastened, when they would 
keep this shape. The framework was then 
lifted from the hole, turned bottom side up, 
the covering of white birch bark laid over 
