ART. 14 FERE-MAKING APPAEATUS HOUGH 5 



period of social organization in which occupations as of woodworking 

 were followed, indicating a comparatively late event as suggested. 



FIRE MAKINO WITH THE TWO-PART DRILL 



Making fire with the two-part drill is not difficult. The apparatus 

 is designed to render fire making easy, yet with two sticks in hand 

 and no knowledge of the details one is placed practically in the posi- 

 tion of primitive man. The drill is a straight, stiff, dry, slender, 

 smooth rod, the diameter of a lead pencil or larger, as shown in the 

 specimens used by various tribes, and up to 20 inches long, but rarely 

 shorter than 12 inches. The hearth admits of far greater variety of 

 form. The large majority, however, are straight-growing sections 

 thicker than the drill and of the same wood. Many of the hearths 

 appear to have been gathered haphazard as a good piece of wood was 

 found, many others are fashioned in a workmanlike manner with 

 flat sides and squared edges, while others are carved and shaped 

 according to the fancy of the native artists. 



Having the two essentials and provided with tinder and accom- 

 paniments for getting a blaze it is possible to describe in detail the 

 making of fire. We round the lower end of the drill and make a 

 slight holding notch near the border of the hearth in which to start 

 the drill rotating, and we cut a clean, vertical slot from the notch 

 down the edge of the hearth. This slot should be cut deep enough 

 to divide the pit in which the drill operates nearly halfway. Place 

 the hearth on the floor or on firm ground, kneel on one knee, and 

 hold the hearth firmly with the other foot. Take the drill between 

 the extended hands, set the rounded end in the notch, and roll it 

 between the palms, pressing down at the same time. After a few 

 rotations the drill will have bitten into the wood and the dust ground 

 off fallen down the slot, which explains its purpose. Remove the 

 drill and make sure that the slot is central with the hole, also that 

 the drill end is not binding, and if so, whittle it a bit to insure its 

 working freely. Before beginning again it must be understood that 

 the work should be carried on to the finish without displacing the 

 drill from its socket. Also, when rotating the drill the hands will 

 gradually move to the lower part of the shaft. At this juncture 

 grip the drill with one hand, bring the other up to the top, grip the 

 drill with it, and hold it while the other hand can be brought to the 

 first position. By practice this can be done so quickly that no appar- 

 ent cessation of the drilling is observable. 



To resume the effort to make fire it is better to revolve the drill 

 slowly at first, gradually increasing the pressure till the dust darkens 

 somewhat and smoke arises, then quicken the stroke and pressure to 

 the extreme till the carbonized wood dust pushes down the slot in a 

 coherent roll. If a thin vapor arises from the dust the work has been 



