FIRE AS AN AGENT IN HUMAN CULTURE 11 



(the tents of the Grand Khan) was an open stove in which a fire of 

 thorns and other dried sticks mingled with cow dung was burning. ^* 



An interesting example of primitiveness is seen in the fireplace of 

 of the Mongols of Lob Nor. "We enter one of these huts, the earthen 

 floor of which is covered in places with old bits of felt, while in 

 the center a cavity surrounded with flat stones serves as a fireplace. 

 Here, as in other villages, we are seated in a circle round the hearth,, 

 the fire being made of bundles of dried reeds. The ends are hghted 

 first, and the flame gradually consumes the stalks, a little girl push- 

 ing the bundle farther in as it burns. The flame is very vivid, so as 

 we get a better hght than we should from a lamp, and are as well 

 warmed into the bargain, we have nothing to complain of." ^^ 



" The wood used for the flooring of Solomon Island dwellings is 

 the hardest obtainable, and seems to be of a material which takes no 

 heed of wear and tear. One log, tougher than the rest, is placed in 

 position by the door, and on this a fire will probably be burning and 

 a woman squatting by it cooking her lord and master's evening; 

 meal."'« 



Developments of architecture, principally enforced by the con- 

 ditions in liigher latitudes, the needs of more fire, and consequent 

 smoke nuisance, demanded that the fire be placed on the side or in 

 the corner of a room and provided with an outlet, from wliich arose 

 the ventilated chimney. 



Subsequent history of the fireplace has to do with the employ- 

 ment of fire for warming, cooking, etc., and treats of inventions as- 

 set forth later. 



Among the Malays, Selangor, Malay Peninsula, "the commonest 

 type of hearth is the Malay box hearth, which consists of a shal- 

 low box filled with earth, upon which are usuall}^ laid, in a triangle,, 

 the Malayan fire stones, between which a fire is kindled. Fire logs, 

 such as are used by the inland Sakai, are, however, often to be 

 seen."" 



RUDIMENTS OF INVENTION IN THE FIREPLACE 



In many places observers have noted the smaller arrangements in 

 primitive fireplaces which usually escape mention. We see the fire- 

 place as a shallow basin or pocket in the earth, more or less worn 

 down by raking out the ashes and by fire action. It assumes natu- 

 ralh^ the appearance of a circular shallow place for the fire, located 

 for convenience and safety. The placing of the fuel has much to do- 

 with the contour of the fireplace. 



"Lives of Celebrated Travellers, vol. 1, p. 25. See also the Hakluyt Society's edition of Rubruquis. 

 » Q.Bonvalot. Across Thibet, New York, 1892, pp. 77, 94. 



»« The Savage South Seas. Painted by Norman H. Hardy, described by E. Way Elkington. Pub- 

 lished by A. and C. Black, London, 1907, p. 19. 

 " W. W. Skeat and C. O. Blagden. Pagan Races of the Malay Peninsula, 190fi, vol. 1, p. 124. 



