The only explanation which can be given for this manner of building is, that most boatmen have their own tow horses, for which a stable is placed at the centre of the boat, so that they do not notice the additional costs of towing which they have to pay. The dimensions of Tournai boats and of the chalands are the same; their length varies from 37.50 m. to 39 metres, not counting the rudder, and their breadth goes from 5.00 m. to 5.05 m.; they draw empty, on an average, 0.28 m., and when loaded from 1.80 m. to 2.30 m., with a tonnage of 300 to 370 tons. By comparing the _bélandres_ and _pointus_ with these boats, it can be seen that the latter can carry less than the former on account of their finer bow, whence their name of _Pointu_ or _Spits_. The essential difference between the “bélandre”, called in Flemish _Bijlander_, and the “pointu” lies in this, that the bottom of the former connects with the forward face by means of a curved surface, whereas the bottom of the latter remains flat up to the nose. The two types differ little in other respects. They are rarely built now. It is true that new “pointus” are still met with, but they should be considered rather as bastard “péniches”. Here again is seen a fusion of different forms accompanying an increase in the size of the boats. The “bélandres” are 28 to 34 metres long, 4.60 m. to 5 metres broad and draw 0.30 m. to 0.40 m. light and up to 2 metres loaded. The “pointu” is 20 to 30 metres long and generally 3.50 m. broad (never reaching 5 metres); it draws light, on an average, 0.35 m., and 1.80 m. when loaded. Its tonnage is from 100 to 200 tons. The largest _pointus_ measure 32 metres in length and 4.90 m. in breadth; they gauge at most 250 tons on a draught of 2.15 m. Many of the types just mentioned are now often built of steel. The “Prij” should also be mentioned in the chapter relating to these boats; it is a “spits” made in two distinct parts, each of which can be loaded separately. [Illustration] FOOTNOTES: [26] As the names of the boats which follow are almost strictly local, no attempt has been made to translate them. _Péniche_, however, is the general name in France and Belgium for the standard canal boat of about 300 tons. [Illustration: 7] Shipbuilding in Europe developed around two centres which came into contact in the neighborhood of 1300. The fusion of the two zones took place only between 1450 and 1500. The Northern centre, that of the Baltic Sea, which had its origin in Sweden and Norway, only reached its full expansion in the time of the Vikings. The types of boats of the various nations along the shores of the seas of the North of Europe show undeniable analogies both in form and in mode of construction. Going further into the continent, the same striking analogies still appear, so that the likeness of forms is further strengthened along the East-West line.