A mineiro (inhabitant of minas gerais) crosses a brazilian river in a pelota or hide boat. A swimmer tows it with his teeth. In this example the pelota is braced internally with what appears to be a wooden gunwale. Often, however, wood was not available e. G. When a traveller had to cross a river in an emergency, in which case the stiffness of the hide alone was relied on. Such devices were portable and could be carried under a horse's saddle. Date: 1825 or before..
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