582 



KEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



to transfer the lighted tinder to the pipe (fig. 55). The tinder is pre- 

 pared from a fungus, probably ^olyporus species. The steel, shaped 

 like an old-fashioned bell pull, is a very good form for holding in the 

 hand. 



Fig. 53. 

 Steike-a- LIGHT. (Pouch for holding flint and steel.) 



(Cat. No. 6972, U. S. N. M. Comanche Indians, Texas. Collected by Edward Palmer. ) 



The Chinese strike-a-light is the customary appendage to the pipe 

 pouch. It is a very ingenious way of combining the steel with a pouch 

 in which to keep the flint and tinder (fig. 56). In Thibet they are made 

 very large and are finely decorated. One owned by Mr. W. W. Kock- 

 hill has a curving steel between 5 and 6 inches long, finely carved. 

 The pouch was trimmed with encrusted silver set with jewels. 



