Linton — The Marquesas Islands 349 



DOMESTIC IMPLEMENTS 



This section deals with the artifacts, other than containers, which formed 

 part of the equipment of a Marquesan household. The implements were for the 

 most part used either in the collection or preparation of food. 



TOOLS FOR FIRE MAKING 



Fire was made in ancient times in the Marc[uesas by means of the fire 

 plow, a method common to all Polynesia. The fire plow consisted of two parts, 

 the bed and the plow (PI. Lvi, G.) 



The favorite material for the bed was a large dry stem of the fruit cluster of the coco- 

 nut palm which, being fibrous, aided in the collection and retention of dust upon which the 

 success of the operation depended. The second best material was fau wood. The bed was 

 not as a rule shaped, but in the better specimens its top was flattened slightly to prevent the 

 plow from slipping during the first few srokes. A little earth was sometimes rubbed on the 

 bed at the beginning of the operation to increase the friction. 



The plow was simply a short stick, usually of fau wood, sharpened to a 

 straight or slightly convex edge, about one-fourth of an inch wide. 



In fire making two men were usually employed, one of whom held the bed 

 firm while the other manipulated the plow (Pi. lvi, H). 



The bed was placed upon the ground with the end toward the plowman slightly 

 elevated. The plow was grasped in both hands, forming an angle of about 45 degrees with 

 the bed, and was rubbed rapidly back and forth, care being taken to stop each downward 

 stroke at exactly the same point. As the rubbing continued, a groove was formed in the bed 

 and a small pile of wood dust collected in the lower end of this groove. The speed of the 

 rubbing was gradually increased until both groove and plow were smoking; then, at the right 

 instant, the point of the plow was driven slightly beyond the end of the previous strokes and 

 buried in the dust. A spark was thus kindled and gently blown to a coal, then dumped off into 

 tinder made from tree cotton or shredded coconut fiber. A new groove was made each time 

 fire was to be kindled. 



In spite of the introduction of matches practically all adult Marquesans can 

 still make fire by this process, and the time required is surprisingly short. One 

 expert individual repeatedly made fire in between 25 and 30 seconds. The pro- 

 cess recjuires a perfect muscular control which is only acquired with long practise, 

 the trick lying in stopping all the strokes at exactly the same point and lengthen- 

 ing the last only enough to bury the plow in the dust without scattering it. 



Native informants insisted that fire was kindled in ancient times by strik- 

 ing sparks from two stones, but it seems probable that this process was borrowed 

 from Europeans at such an early time that its origin has been forgotten. Fire 

 making sets consisting of quartz crystals, a piece of steel, and a section of bamboo 

 filled with tree cotton are still used by the poorer natives. 



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