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No. LXXXIX.—BASKETWORK. 
By JOHN EVANS, Esq., F.B.S. 
The process of basket-making is closely allied to that of wea- 
ving(LXXIX.),and in like manner dates back to a remote period. 
Baskets made of esparto have been found with hatchets and 
other instruments of stone in Andalusia; and our ancient Bri¬ 
tish ancestors were renowned for their skill in basket-making, 
the Latin word bascauda being a mere derivative from the British. 
(( Barbara de pictis veni bascauda Britannis 
Sed me jam mavult dicere Boma suum.” 
Martial , Lib. xiv. Ep. 99. 
Basketwork is either stiff or flexible; the stiff variety is 
generally made by wattling fine withes over others rather coarser 
which form the ribs of the structure, while the flexible kind is 
usually made by plaiting or weaving flat strips together; occa¬ 
sionally, however, rush-like stems are used for this kind of 
fabric. So closely are some of these baskets woven, that they 
are perfectly watertight, like the milk-baskets among the Kaffirs. 
Basketwork of a coarse kind is sometimes employed in the 
construction of huts and stockades, and for the manufacture of 
boats or coracles covered with skin. 
Bark of trees is in many countries employed as a substitute 
for basketwork of various kinds, and is employed even for boats 
(LXXV.). Articles of clothing, such as hats, and other objects 
for personal use, such as fans, are frequently made of basketwork. 
The following questions may serve as hints for the traveller:— 
1. What are the materials principally used in basketwork, and 
how are they prepared P are any plants specially cultivated for 
basket-making ? 2. What are the chief articles manufactured 
in this manner P If possible, describe the process. 3. W T hat 
are the principal forms of baskets ? and in what manner are they 
wrought, and to what purposes applied ? 4. In what manner 
are they ornamented ? 5. What other articles besides baskets 
are made in the same manner ? and what are their forms and 
uses ? 6. Are strainers or colanders made of basketwork ? and 
if so, for what are they used ? 7. Are special forms of baskets 
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