THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
373 
about fix feet. Within this fpace, ftrong pofts, or wooden 1779. 
pillars, are fattened in the ground, at proper diftances from u Q - t — r 
each other, on which are extended the beams for the fup- 
port of the roof, which is formed by joifts, retting on the 
ground with one end, and on the beams with the other. 
The interftices between the joitts are filled up with a ftrong 
wicker-work, and the whole covered with turf; fo that a 
jourt has externally the appearance of a round fquat hillock. 
A hole is left in the centre, which ferves for chimney, win¬ 
dow, and entrance, and the inhabitants pafs in and out by 
means of a ftrong pole (inftead of a ladder) notched juft 
deep enough to afford a little holding to the toe. There is 
likewife another entrance in the fide, even with the ground, 
for the convenience of the women; but if a man makes 
ufe of it, he fubjedts himfelf to the fame difgrace and de- 
rifion, as a failor would, who defcends through lubbers- 
hole. The jourt confifts of one apartment, of the form of 
an oblong fquare. Along the fides are extended broad plat¬ 
forms made of boards, and raifed about fix inches from the 
ground, which they ufe as feats, and on which they go to 
reft, after ftrewing them with mats and fkins. On one fide 
is the fire-place, and the fide oppofite is entirely fet apart 
for the ftowage of provifions and kitchen utenfils. At their 
feafts, and ceremonious entertainments, the hotter the jourts. 
are made for the reception of the guefts, the greater the 
compliment. We found them at all times fo hot, as to 
make any length of ftay in them to us intolerable. They 
betake themfelves to the jourts the middle of October; 
and, for the moft part, continue in them till the middle of 
May. 
The balagans are raifed upon nine pofts, fixed into the 
earth in three rows, at equal diftances from one ano¬ 
ther, ; 
