THE EARLY HISTORY OF FIRE. 



21 



The dried parenchyma of the Boletus igniarius, frayed cedar-bark, 

 dry leaves, carbonized vegetal fibres, and the like, are the combustible 

 materials commonly employed to receive the spark produced by 

 friction or by concussion. 



Is there or has there ever been a people absolutely ignorant of the 

 means of producing fire ? Many authors answer this question affirm- 

 atively. Thus we are told that the natives of Tasmania, though ac- 

 quainted with fire and making use of it, nevertheless are ignorant of 

 the means of producing it. Hence it is the special duty of their 

 women to carry fire-brands that burn day and night, and by the light 

 of which the tribe make their way through the woods. If the torches 

 or brands go out, it may be necessary to make a long journey in order 

 to have them lighted again from the fire kept up by another tribe. 

 Nearly every family, too, carries about a cone of banksia, which burns 

 slowly like amadou. 



Fig. 6. Esquimau Thong-Drill. (Tjlor.) 



Fig. 7. Pump-Drill. (Tylor.) 



That the Australians are not so ignorant of the uses of fire as they 

 are said to be, is shown by a legend current among them about the 

 origin of fire. This legend we copy from Wilson, who, in his work, 

 " Prehistoric Man," devotes a highly-interesting chapter to the ques- 

 tion we are considering : " A long, long time ago, a little bandicoot ' 

 was the sole owner of a fire-brand, which he cherished with the great- 

 est jealousy. So selfish was he in the use of his prize that he obsti- 

 nately refused to share it with the other animals. So they held a 

 general council, where it was decided that the fire must be obtained 

 from the bandicoot either by force or strategy. The hawk and the 

 pigeon were deputed to carry out thts resolution ; and, after trying to 

 induce the fire-owner to share its blessings with his neighbors, the 

 pigeon, seizing, as he thought, an unguarded moment, made a dash to 

 obtain the prize. The bandicoot saw that affairs had come to a crisis, 

 1 A small, sharp-nosed animal, not unlike the Guinea-pig. 



