THE METHODS OF FIRE-MAKING. 



403 



stances used for tinder which will support ablaze. Vegetable products 

 excellent for tinder, however, reach such a condition of oxidization and 

 decomposition that they will not feed a flame, and hence matches are 

 required to complete the operation. The brimstone-match is found in 

 Japan as a broad, thin shaving tipped with sulphur (Fig. 58), and in 



Fig. 58. 

 Bundle of Shaving-matches. 



(Cr\t. No. 128130, U. S. N. M. Japan. Japanese Department "I Educnli Tokio.) 



Mexico it is a cotton wick dipped in sulphur (Fig. 50). In other coun- 

 tries different forms were manufactured. 



pHttl! 



Fig. 59. 

 Sulphur-wicks. 



( Cat. No. 76194, U. S. N. M. Oaxaca, 

 Mexico. Collected by L. H. Ayme". ) 



Fig. 60. 



Sulphur "Spunks." (Original 

 Bundle.) 



(Cat. No. 130309, U. S. N. M. Philadelphia 

 Pennsylvania, 1830. Presented by George 

 G. Fryer J 



The " spunk " (Fig. 60), the common name of the splints tipped with 

 Sulphur, was in general use in this country prior to 1825, and lingered in 



