Sun-dials 



359 



only told the time o' the day, but afforded gratifica- 

 tion, elicited investigation, and awakened sentiment 

 in all who beheld it. 



A similar use of a vertical pole as a primitive 

 gnomon for a sun-dial seems to 

 have been common to many un- 

 civilized peoples. In upper 

 Egypt the natives set up a palm 

 rod in open ground, and arrange 

 a circle of stones or pegs around 

 it, calling it an alka, and thus 

 mark the hours. The plough- 

 man leaves his buffalo standing 

 in the furrow while he learns the 

 progress of time from this sim- 

 ple dial and we recall the 

 words of Job, " As a servant 

 earnestly desireth a shadow." 



The Labrador Ind- 

 ians, when on the hunt or 

 the march, set an upright 

 stick or spear in the snow, 

 and draw the line of the 

 shadow thus cast. They 

 then stalk on their way ; 

 and the women, heavily 

 laden with provisions, 

 shelter, and fuel, come slowly along two or three 

 hours later, note the distance between the present 

 shadow and the line drawn by their lords, and know 

 at once whether they must gather up the stick or 

 spear and hurry along, or can rest for a short time 



Sun-dial at Morristown, New Jersey. 



