Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 33.djvu/515

Rh as the weight of snow, which often lies three and four feet deep, is considerable; while the force of the ocean-gales which speed in from the Pacific must subject it to very heavy strain. The eaves reach to within about four feet of the ground.

When the roof is quite finished it is raised by main strength and stupidity, and the corner posts, which are substantial sticks roughly squared, are placed in position. Then the wall-frames of smaller sticks, oftentimes with the bark left on, are lashed to the plates and to cross-pieces, to which are fastened the rushes of the wall. These are not laid on in a heavy thatch, as they are on the roof, but in one or two flat courses; very often they are so thin in places that it is possible to see between them. The median line of the house is always in an east and west direction. A sacred window is left in the middle of the eastern wall, through which the sun-god is worshiped, and before this an inao is placed. Another window, perhaps two, will be cut in the south wall just under the eaves. All the windows are closed by shutters opening outward and swinging from the top, being caught up and held by a lanyard secured to the eaves on the outside.

In the house which we are describing there will be an addition on the west of about fifteen feet square, but much lower than the main building. The roof of this is also made first, raised to its proper position, and the thatch joined to that of the main house. This roof slopes toward the north, west, and south. The walls are the same as those of the main building, the entrance-door being in the southern wall and protected by a small porch with thatch roof and rush walls; opposite the entrance-door a small window is cut in the north wall, and beneath it is placed a rude sink for culinary purposes. As the occupations of the inmates do not require much light, the windows are quite sufficient, while ample ventilation is secured through them and the thin walls. There are no partitions inside the hut, though the western extension is sometimes separated from the main room by a light wicker framework, about three feet high, with openings at the sides of the fireplace, which is always directly under the ridge-pole, but rather nearer the western end. The fireplace is oblong in shape, the ashes being kept at about the level of the floor on either side. Sometimes the whole floor of the main apartment is boarded over on the north, east, and south sides of the fireplace, but usually this flooring only extends along the eastern end under the sacred window, the entrance-door always being in the western end of the single building, or in the southern wall of the western extension. The northern side of the fireplace is sacred to the family, a small sleeping-box being usually built under the eaves; the head of the house, or eastern end, is reserved for permanent or distinguished visitors, and the southern side is for occasional callers.