162 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
ting. The shape of the sails of the island-canoes 
is singular, the side attached to the mast is straight, 
the outer part resembling the section of an oval, 
cut in the longest direction. The other sails 
are commonly used in the same manner as sprit 
or lugger sails are used in European boats. 
The ropes from the corners of the sails are not 
usually fastened, but held in the hands of the 
natives. The rigging is neither varied nor com¬ 
plex ; the cordage is made with the twisted 
bark of the hibiscus, or the fibres of the cocoa- 
nut husk—of which a very good coiar rope is 
manufactured. 
The paddles of the Tahitians are plain, having 
a smooth round handle, and an oblong-shaped 
blade. Their canoes having no rudder, are 
steered by a man in the stern, with a paddle 
generally longer than the rest. In long voyages, 
