RESPOXSIVE LIFE OF ORGANISMS 



491 



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The earliest human tools were very 

 simple; a club, a flint stone; such things 

 as might be selected from nature already 

 fitted to the hand. Better tools fol- 

 lowed when a little laljor was added to 

 their preparation. A split stick lashed 

 to the flint gave a stone ax; and split- 

 ting and sharpening of the flint yielded 

 stone knives. A great variety of tools 

 of stone and wood and bone and horn 

 followed; and, later, tools of bronze and 

 of iron. Indeed, the kinds of tools man- 

 kind has used furnish a fair index of the 

 progress of the race. Cutting tools es- 

 pecially have been made the basis of 

 ethnological classifications. 



The use of fire. — Man is the only 

 animal that uses fire. Many animals 

 undoubtedly enjoy the glow of its 

 warmth; and some of our domesticated 

 animals appear to be sensible of the im- 

 provement it makes in the cooking of 

 food. But no animal has attained to 

 the idea of adding a stick of wood to keep 

 a fire burning. 



Fire was the first 

 of nature's resources 

 to be pressed into 

 human service. Its 

 use appears to have 

 been known to all 

 races and tribes of 

 mankind, throughout human history. It served prime- 

 val man in many ways. It increased his physical comfort. 



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Fig. 274. Primitive 

 tools, a a chipped flint 

 of very ancient form. 

 b, c, d, flint knives of 

 improved design, c. a 

 flint arrow head. /, a 

 flint spear head g, a 

 bone fish hook. /;, /, 

 bone needles. ;. a 

 wooden bowl k, a 

 wooden comb. /. a 

 necklace of teeth and 

 claws. 



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