a fac-simile in miniature of the
antediluvian monster, the "iguanodon," who was about a hundred feet
long and twelve feet thick--an awkward creature to meet in a narrow
road. However, the crocodiles of modern times are awkward enough for
the present day, and sometimes grow to the immense length of twenty two
feet.

It has frequently surprised me that they do not upset the small canoes
in which the natives paddle about the lakes and rivers. These are
formed in the simplest manner, of very rude materials, by hollowing out
a small log of wood and attaching an outrigger. Some of these are so
small that the gunwale is close to the water's edge when containing
only one person.

Even the large sea-canoes are constructed on a similar principle; but
they are really very wonderful boats for both speed and safety.

A simple log of about thirty feet in length is hollowed out. This is
tapered off at either end, so as to form a kind of prow. The
cylindrical shape of the log is preserved as much as possible in the
process of hollowing, so that no more than a section of one fourth of
the circle is pared away upon the upper side.

Upon the edges of this aperture the top sides of the canoe are formed
by simple planks, which are merely sewn upon the main body of the log
parallel to each other, and slightly inclining outward, so as to admit
the legs of persons sitting on the canoe.

A vessel of this kind would of course capsize immediately, as the top
weight of the upper works would overturn the flute-like body upon which
they rested. This is prevented by an outrigger, which is formed of
elastic rods of tough wood, which, being firmly bound together, project
at right angles from the upper works. At the extremity of these two
rods, there is a tapering log of light wood, which very much resembles
the bottom log of the canoe in miniature. This, floating on the water,
balances the canoe in an upright position; it cannot be upset until
some force is exerted upon the mast of the canoe which is either
sufficient to lift the outrigger out of the water, or on the other hand
to sink it altogether; either accident being prevented by the great
leverage required. Thus, when a heavy breeze sends the little vessel
flying like a swallow over the waves, and the outrigger to windward
shows symptoms of lifting, a man rims out upon the connecting rod, and,
squatting upon the outrigger, adds his weight to the leverage. Two
long bamboos, spreading l