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 would only come taut and into play in case of the principal rope being broken.

XLIV.

PICTURES FROM WATER.

“The records of your actions are borne in the waters, in the air, in electricity, in the unknown powers that, by the command of Him who made them all, pervade infinite space.  His might is everywhere; and the man who transgresses, sins in the presence of myriads of witnesses.”

In my reign some interesting discoveries were made with regard to water.