MANUFACTURING IRON. 147 



the other ends of them being inserted into 

 the chimney; the bowls are covered \vith 

 the skins of animals,, arid in the middle of each, 

 a small slit is made ; the skins are kept al- 

 ways wet, and it is the business of the 

 females to stand on them, and by their rest- 

 ing on each leg alternately, the bowls act as 

 two pair of bellows, or rather as a blacksmith's 

 forge bellows, keeping up a constant stream 

 of air on the fire. 



They hold a small wooden shovel in their 

 hands with which they supply the chimney 

 with ore and charcoal, and at the same time are 

 often loaded with a child or two at their 

 backs. When the lower part is choaked by 

 being full of iron, they take it out in a lump, 

 weighing from sixty to seventy pounds. It is 

 also a part of the female's duty to break the 

 stones, and charcoal. When good stones 

 for their purpose, or wood fit for making char- 

 coal becomes scarce near their huts, they re- 

 move to some other spot, seldom remaining 

 at one place more than a month or two. 

 Li 



