re could penetrate the fibres. There is some difficulty
in skimming and obtaining the liquid in a pure state; but the operation
having been performed, it is carefully preserved in large vats and
remains ready for use.

The timber having been thoroughly seasoned in the sun, each plank is cut
and shaped to the exact form required, and is then soaked in this
liquid. If the process of cutting were delayed till after the timber had
been soaked, the parts where the cuttings had been made would be
unprotected from the insects. If the soaking were delayed until after
the ship had been put together, the four sides of each of the timbers
where it is joined to other timbers, would in like manner be
unprotected, and the insects would eat their way between. The care
exercised was the more necessary, as it was essential that the wood
under the hippopotamus hide should be preserved from internal as well as
external influences. If the wood had shrunk after it had been once
covered, parts of the hide would become slack, and serious
inconveniences would have ensued. I never knew one of our Swan vessels
to spring a leak or to wear out. The vessels built under my rule will
exist unimpaired for many centuries, whilst those built under the former
system were broken to pieces on account of their foulness and leakage,
chiefly caused by the ravages of insects.

THE COMPASS.

The compass used in our ships is different to yours, being based on the
fact that each country has a different attraction to certain liquids. In
short, we apply an electrical power entirely unknown to you.

THE ANCHOR.

The anchor is made of iron-marble, which is the strongest composition we
have, and which, you will recollect, was used in the construction of the
Mountain Supporter.

In shape the anchor resembles a body with six legs, like a fly--three on
either side. Each leg has a crook at the end, which will grapple firmly
wherever the least hold can be obtained.

The anchor is let out and hauled in by machinery made on a principle
resembling the machinery of the ship itself, but, of course, on a very
much smaller scale.

The rope holding the anchor is made of Bisson hair, a very strong
material; and although there is little probability of its breaking,
there are four other ropes of the same material secured to the body of
the anchor, to serve in case of accidents. There is no strain whatever
in the meantime on these reserved ropes, which hang slack, and wo