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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

respecting the form and decoration of the prow, appears to be that of giving it a.rude and general resemblance to the head of an animal; to this end, the bows oneach of which is generally painted an eye *, with the pupil turned forward, aremade to rise like the ears of an owl; while the flat timbers of the stem, forminga species of beak, contribute, in some degree, to increase the singular simi-larity.

The lower part of the stern is either entirely hollowed in an angular form, or,being flat in its primary construction, has, in its centre, a recess of that descrip-tion. Within this, is a second hollow, or chamber, rising the whole height nearlyfrom the keel to the bottom of the quarter-gallery, within which the ruddermoves, and is protected from the violence of the sea. This rudder is five or sixfeet in length, and managed by ropes only, one of which fastens to the poop,which occasionally lifts it out of the water, with a view to its preservation.

The vessels here spoken of, differ very materially from the boats and bargesemployed in the inland navigation of the country -f-. They are called by thePortugueze, soma, a word that is, probably, a corruption of the native Chinese,not very remote in sound, and signifying a 6hip. Their rigging is the most simplethat-can be imagined ; and yet, were the construction of their hull equally advan-tageous, they would be good sailers. It has been already said, that their prow iswithout a bowsprit. They have frequently two mizen masts, or at most, a verysmall one, far back on the poop, like that of a hark, and generally better entitled,from its employment, situation, and size, to the name of a flag-taff; for thoughthey sometimes hoist a small top-mast, it is done to little purpose. The main-mast is placed very near the foremast, which latter stands remarkably for-ward. The proportion of one to the other, is as two to three; and that of themainmast to the vessel, is nearly the same; its length being commonly equal

* In this respect the Chinese appear to follow the example of the ancients, who were accustomedto paint eyes on the "bows of their vessels, particularly their war gallies, to denote vigilance or alert-ness.

f Of which defcription nearly the whole are, with the greatest propriety, called imperial, as theyare employed in carrying the government taxes, which are taken in kind from all the provinces, tothe city of Pekin. To these are to be added those kept by the emperor to convey the viceroys, andother officers, to their several stations; and next, those which are private property, belonging to theprinces of the blood, the mandarins, the literati, the merchants, and tradesmen. These vessels arebuilt and adorned according to the rank of the owners; hut even the lowest in gradation are extremelybeautiful, as well as convenient.

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