lect or accident it would go out. In such a case, it was a common custom among the early settlers to send some of the children with a pail to
A “strike-a-light” set, from the Cheyenne Indians of Arkansas.
A, a piece of course file which struck against the flint, B, and produced a spark which was directed into the “punk” in the small hollow horn, C. D, buckskin pouch about eight inches long, for holding the supply of tinder. (The button on this pouch, and the iron file, must have been acquired from the traders.)
Early New England tinder-boxes.
A, iron flourish, or striker; B, flint; C, box containing the tinder; D, cover with candle in position; E, snuffer. “borrow” some live coals from a neighbor. Just imagine taking a pail and going sometimes for a mile or more to a neighbor’s with the request, Please give me some fire.”
In the days of the old flint-lock, tinder was lighted by snapping the lock of the rifle, while a little powder was put in the pan so that the flash might readily ignite the tinder.
The placing of tinder around the hole in the fire drill is not essential. What really ignites is the wood dust ground off by the friction, and from this the tinder is ignited. It is true that tinder is sometimes placed beneath the hearth of the fire drill so that the wood dust, as it is ground off, accumulates on it in a little heap, but it is the wood dust that first takes fire. Any boy or girl can try the experiment with a simple bow- drill, because fire can be made by any one with three pieces of dry pine wood and a simple bow.
Many primitive people used some fungus for tinder. In this locality, the variety known as the puffball, gathered and dried, makes most excellent tinder.
Primitive people had a method of making a long slow “match” by twisting up a rope of cedar bark or other material that would burn slowly. In this way, fire might be carried for hours. The American Indian frequently used a buffalo horn, which was filled with tinder, lighted, and then very tightly closed. Fire would keep in such a horn for many hours.
In the days when the Sioux Indians had copper kettles, they were also supplied with flint and steel, the latter being one of the first things traded to them, and one which they especially prized. The making of fire by wood friction is so much more laborious that no people would ever use it if flint and steel were at hand.—Clark Wissler, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, New York City.
Boys handling bees
