Most of the tribes make their canoes out of single trees, which they
hollow and expand by means of a fire placed beneath them, gradually
inserting wedges and cross-pieces. It is first reared on trestles, with
a slit downwards over the fire--which is kept up for seven or eight
hours. The process requires great and constant attention, to avoid
cracks, and make the canoe bend with the proper dip at the two ends.
Additional planks are often secured to the sides, while the stem and
stern are formed of semicircular boards pegged on to the ends of the
trunk. The seams are then caulked with gum. The paddles have oval
blades, and are about three feet in length, cut out of single pieces.