GOVERNMENT AND LANGUAGE. 205 a red-hot iron along each side. Then two long planks, hewn with the axe out of the solid trunks of trees, are taken, and a number of holes having been bored to correspond with those in the bottom log, the two are tied together with the root-fibres of various plants, curved boards being added at either end where the canoe narrows ; then two other planks are added and secured in a similar manner : the first row of planks are sloped outwards at an angle of about 60 degrees, thus giving additional breadth to the canoe, the second row being vertical. Large holes are made along the lower edge of the second row of planks to receive the thwarts, and at the bow a large piece of wood is fastened, projecting like horns some three feet on either side of the gunwale, by which the canoe is drawn up on land. When completed thus far, the outside of the vessel is painted a light red, with iron oxide obtained by burning an ore resembling haematite, and then the seams are all caulked by thrusting in plantain -fibre, which has been steeped in water, from the outside. Then a curved prow called " nsanda " is added, the top being ornamented with a pair of antelope's horns, and from this to the bow a fringe of grass is fastened to give additional ornament. This prow is loose, and is usually removed when the canoe is drawn up on land. The canoes are steered by the two last paddlers in the stern, and, except in the largest ones, only one paddler sits on each thwart.