Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/389

] bark. The heart of them consists of a fungous substance, which the inhabitants use instead of corks.

Every part of this habitation was derived from the sago-tree, even to the roof, the top of which being about ten feet in height, was covered with the leaves (folioles) of that valuable tree. They were plaited and fixed to a pole, thus forming rectangles often the whole length of the house, and about eight inches in breadth, and as they overlapped each other, they were impenetrable by the hardest rain.

The two sides of the roof were inclined about forty-five degrees, and a part of it formed at the door a little shed, where the family enjoyed the fresh air, and where also they dressed their victuals; for, as the cottage was not furnished with a chimney, a fire would have rendered it uninhabitable.

It appeared strange that those people, who loved to be at their ease, should sleep on a sort of trellis formed of sticks, two inches asunder. This was but a hard bed, notwithstanding the mats with which it was covered; but it afforded them the pleasure of the fresh air, which circulated freely in the interstices. It was elevated about eighteen inches above the ground, and below it was deposited a part of the household utensils,