1892 
Patgcuaro 
(Mlchoacan) 
purple light, slowly fading to the deep black of the night on the 
forest-olad hills. It soon became so dark that we were isolated on 
the water and the swaying white-clad forms of our paddlers moving 
dimly in unison seemed to emphasise our isolation. Finally the lights 
* 
of the Hacienda showed up and we were soon ashore. 
The canoes of the Tarasco Indians on Lake Patzcuaro are of peculiar 
shape. Instead of the sheer being from bottom to top, it is reversed 
so that the top of the canoe is several inches narrower than the bottom. 
A cross-section giving an outline about as followst- They 
have a long sheer at bow and shorter one at stern. They are dug out 
of single tree trunks and often are 30 or 35 ft, long and carry a ton 
or more of freight. The outside measurements of a oanoe 1S-| ft. long 
and with walls from 2-3 inches thick were as followsj Commencing 
at bow and taking a measurement every 3 ft* with an extra one at stern* 
At both ends the canoe has the thiekness of the timber about 4 inches. 
In stern the bottom is nearly a foot thick and a small narrow seat is 
cut inside a foot below rail for steersman. 
Small, round-bladed paddles are used with blades from 3-10 inches 
across and almost round or slightly oval on end of a round handle about 
6 to 7 ft, long. 
Mary of the Tarasco Indians about this lake gain a living by fishing 
They go out singly in small canoes with a large dip net some 8 or 9 ft. 
aoross, with a slender handle about 15 to 18 ft. in length. They thrust 
the not down to the bottom and hold the handle in an upright position 
for several minutes and then slowly lift the net with any fish in the 
