FIKE AS AN AGENT IN HUMAN CULTURE 7 



Tremendous friction is set up in forests during high winds, and 

 under proper conditions it is possible that fires may be started in tliis 

 manner. Such occurrences must be unusual, and it is found difficult 

 to procure a reliable observation on the subject. Francois Bernier 

 in 1663, traveling in Cashmere, observed: 



"Some of the trees were scorched and burnt, either blasted b}' the 

 thunderbolt, or, according to the traditions of the peasantry, set on 

 fire in the heat of summer by rubbing against each other when agi- 

 tated by fierce, burning winds." ^^ 



TRANSPORTATION 



In the transportation of fire we see the beginning of many inven- 

 tions. Fire on the hearth has a place well understood, but when fire 

 has to be moved precautions must be taken to carry it safely and 

 without danger. For ordinary distances a brand from the fire or a 

 coal or some inflammable medium lighted at the fire is sufficient. 

 For carrying small amounts of fire longer time and distances the vari- 

 ous means are discussed on page 3. The transportation of fire bodily 

 is shown b}- the Virginia Indian canoe fire depicted by John White, 

 artist with the Raleigh expedition under John Smith in 1585. Also 

 among the Fuegians the bottom of the canoe has in one place a layer 

 of claj" on which a fire is always kept burning.^^ Admiral Charles 

 Wilkes remarks that among the natives of New South Wales a fire is 

 commonly carried upon a layer of gravel in the middle of the boat, 

 and points out that this custom arises either from a natural or super- 

 stitious reluctance to be without fire at any time, and that in this 

 they resemble the Fuegians.^^ Attention is called to this profound 

 observation which brings out the almost instinctive association of 

 man with fu-e. 



BIOLOGICAL FACTOR 



Fire as a biological factor opens up a subject that has not had the 

 attention it deserves. Since the earhest times fire has evidently 

 been one of the agencies aiding in the displacement and perhaps 

 modification of the habits of animals and plants. Indian mytlis as 

 to the changes in the animals who tried to catch the sun or who stole 

 fire may have more interesting scientific parallels. In a discussion 

 some years ago on the formation of the American prairies it was 

 brought forward that in former times these lands were forested, and 

 also pretty generally agreed that their treelessness is due to fire. It 

 has been asserted that small prairie animals which give evidence of 

 former arboreal habits now^ burrow in the ground. The statement 

 in this connection is held untenable by Gerrit S. Miller, of the 



"St. John, Lives of Celebrated Travellers, New York, 1835, vol. 1, p 225 

 "Charles Pickering. Races, New York, 1819, p. 9. 

 "Wilkes Explorations, Washington, 1850, vol. 2, p. 193. 



