THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. 259 



island of Sala y Gomez, perfectly naked rocks, 

 which do not seem to belong to the formation of 

 low islands. The reefs which are united to them 

 form shoals extending to a great distance from 

 them, which are very dangerous to vessels that 

 navigate those seas. 



METHODS OF KINDLING FIRE. 



There are various methods ot" producing fire. 



In the Caroline islands, a piece of wood being- 

 held fast on the ground, another short piece, about 

 afoot and a half long, of the thickness of a thumb, 

 even as if turned, and with the end bluntly rounded 

 off, is held perpendicularly over it, and put in mo- 

 tion between the palms of the hand, like the mill 

 used for making chocolate. The motion is at first 

 slow, but is accelerated, and the pressure in- 

 creased, when the dust produced by the friction 

 collects round the borer, and begins to be ignited. 

 This dust is the tinder, which takes fire. The 

 women of Eap arc said to be uncommonly clever 

 at this process. 



In Radack and the Sandwich islands they hold 

 on the under piece of wood, another piece a span 

 long, with a blunt pomt, at an angle of about thirty 

 degrees, the point of the angle being turned from 

 the person employed. They hold the piece of wood 

 with both hands, the thumbs below, the fingers 

 above, so that it may press firmly and equably, and 



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