101 
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 even used as a material 
for boats (No. V.). 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 to 
the traveller :— 
1. What are the materials principally used in basketwork, 
and how are they prepared ? are any plants specially culti¬ 
vated for basket-making ? 2. What are the chief articles 
manufactured in this manner ? If possible, describe the pro¬ 
cess. 3. What 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 used for special purposes ? 
are they kept, or are they thrown away after having been 
once used ? 8. Are baskets or other articles made from the 
bark of trees, without any plaiting ? what are their forms, 
and how ornamented ? 9. Are waterproof baskets in use ? 
and is any material applied to render them waterproof ? 
10. Are baskets used as moulds for pottery ? 11. Are the 
shells or rind of any fruits or vegetables used as substitutes 
for basketwork ? 12. When the ornament is formed by plait¬ 
ing in different co'ours, wlat are the patterns? representa¬ 
tions of animals or plants, or only geometrical forms ? 13. 
Do these patterns appear upon any other objects than basket- 
work ? 14. Are vessels of other material covered with 
basketwork, e.g., pottery, eggs, gourds, &c. ? 15. Are any 
parts of dress or defensive armour made of basketwork, 
shields, cuirasses, head gear, or sandals ? 16. Is plaited 
decoration much used for weapons or utensils ? or are plaited 
