I tied a string tightly round the nut, struck it with the handle of my knife till an incision was made, then tightened it till the nut was separated into two equally-sized bowls.

Fritz had spoiled his gourd by cutting it irregularly with his knife.

I advised him to try and make spoons of it, as it would not do for basins now.

I told him I had learnt my plan from books of travels.

It is the practice of the savages, who have no knives, to use a sort of string, made from the bark of trees, for this purpose.