18 BULLETIN 139^ UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Foot warmers reflect the drawbacks of the architecture of past 

 time, when provisions were not made for heating and ventilating 

 public buildings, as churches. The foot stoves of New England 

 recall this period, when such primitive devices were carried to 

 church to prevent discomfort or even freezing in the cold assembly 

 hall. 



LAYING THE FIRE 



There is not much information available for the general treatment 

 of this subject. It appears probable, however, that some order in plac- 

 ing fuel on the fire was early worked out as the result of endless 

 experiences in the past. Such matters were unobserved as of no 

 consequence, and what appeared to be normal may have been the 

 result of designed actions known to be best for the purpose. For 

 this reason only unusual or striking methods were recorded. 



Economics of labor and fuel and a method of laying up and pre- 

 serving fire is observed among the Creek and other southern Indians. 

 Four logs are cut and laid at right angles, the ends abutting and 

 being tlu^ust in as they burnt away. At the junction fire is built. 

 The Cherokee, however, pushed the sticks in parallel, burning th6m 

 from one end.*^ The Jivaro Indians of Ecuador use three logs similarly 

 and where a larger fire is needed throw small wood on the junction 

 and fan to a blaze with a fan of plaited grass.*^ Among the southern 

 Indians the cross-shaped fire took on a rehgious significance, and was 

 prescribed at ceremonies such as the Busk or Green Corn Dance. 



Among the Mandans fire was built with two sticks crossed in the 

 center, which were pushed in as they burnt. " This was done because 

 the First Man told them they must never have a big fire after the 

 day's cooking, and showed them how it should be built. It recalls 

 the sacred fire of the Muskogi and other tribes of the lower Missis- 

 sippi."^" A cruder method was employed by some eastern Indian 

 tribes. A sizable tree convenient for handling was dragged up and 

 one end thrust tlu-ough the side of the hut to the fireplace. When 

 the wasting away of the burning end rendered it necessary the log was 

 thrust forward.^* 



The methodical laying of the fire logs in the great fireplaces of 

 northern Europe, transplanted to American, ma}' have had such a 

 nomenclature as was expressed in Virginia in 1840. There were four 

 elements, backlog, top log, fore stick, and middle stick, showing an 

 order which is suspected of having ancient descent. This arrangement 

 made a perfect fire, smaller logs being added against the substantial 

 backlog as required. 



" R. B. Marcy. Reconnoissances in New Mexico and Texas, 1850, p. 219. 

 "A. Simson. Notes on the Jivaros and Cabelos Indians, Joum. Anth. Inst., 1880, May, p. 286. 

 so Will and Spinden. The Mandans, Pap. Peabody Mus., vol. 3, No. 4, Cambridge, Mass., August, 

 1906, pp. 134-135, 

 <>' Thomas Morton. New England Canaan, Prince Soc, Boston, 1883, pp. 134-136. 



