PIEEj COOKINGj AND VESSELS. 



245 



Fig. 29. 



the lower part^ to give it momentum. In a notcli at the top of 



the shaft was set a string-, attached 



to a bow about three feet in length. 



The lower point rested upon a block 



of dry woodj near which are placed 



small pieces of punk. "When ready 



to use, the string is first coiled 



around the shaft, by turning it with 



the hand. The bow is then pulled 



downwards, thus uncoiling the 



string, and revolving the shaft 



towards the left. By the momentum 



given to the wheel, the string is 



again coiled up in a reverse manner, 



and the bow again drawn up. The 



bow is again pulled downwards, and the revolution of the 



shaft reversed, uncoiling the string, and recoiling it as before. 



This alternate revolution of the shaft is continued, until sparks 



are emitted from the point where it rests upon the piece of dry 



wood below. Sparks are produced in a few moments by the 



intensity of the friction, and ignite the punk, which speedily 



furnishes a fire."^ 



It is now necessary to notice other methods of producing 

 fire which have been found in use in various parts of the world. 



The natives of Tierra del Fuego are notably distinguished 

 from their northern neighbours by their way of fire-making. 

 In 1520, Magalhaens on his famous voyage visited the g'gantio 

 Patagonians, who thought the Spaniards had come down from 

 heaven, and who, explaining to the European visitors the native 

 theology, told them of their chief god, Setebos. The savages 

 who thus helped to furnish the picture of the "servant-monster," 

 Caliban," showed their manner of making fire, which was by 

 the friction of two pieces of wood.^ But the Fuegians have 



^ L. H. Morgan, 'League of the Iroquois ;' Eochester, U. S., 1851, p. 381. 

 2 Cal. — " Hast thou not dropped from heaven ? " (' Tempest,' act ii. scene 2.) 



CaL— 



" It would control my dam's god, Setebos." (Id. act i. scene 2). 

 •'' Pigafetta, in Pinkerton, vol. xi. 



