TROPICAL FORESTS 
67 
a dry stick about three-fourths inch in diameter and long enough 
so that it can be held on a rock or another piece of wood with 
the foot, one end being off the ground. The latter end should 
be split, the split being held open by a piece of twig or a pebble, 
and a good sized pinch of tinder wedged snugly, but not too 
tightly into the open part of the split. The rattan is then held 
firmly, one end in each hand, and is looped under the split so that 
the contact will be directly beneath and with the tinder. The 
rattan is then drawn rapidly back and forth with as much pres- 
sure as can be applied, the stick being held firmly in place with 
the foot. Within a few seconds the tinder should start to 
smoke. When it is smoking well, withdraw it and blow on it 
until a red coal appears and finally a flame. Beforehand gather 
shavings, bits of bark, and small twigs that can be added until 
a blaze sufficient to start larger pieces of wood has been 
developed. 
Tinder may be made from fine, dry vegetable fibers, grass, 
moss, from lint from a piece of canvas, from a bandage from 
your first aid kit, or from a piece of your clothing. The fine 
down from the breasts of birds or from beneath their wings 
also makes good tinder. Whatever is used, however, must be 
completely dry. Natives who use this method generally carry 
their rattan thong with them, wrapped around one arm above 
the elbow where it can be kept dry and also serve as an orna- 
ment. This is particularly true of the tribes of the central 
mountains of New Guinea. They also carry tinder in a pouch 
where it can be kept dry. 
In the Polynesian area of the Pacific Islands the natives com- 
monly use what is called a fire plow. They find a piece of 
soft wood 2% to 3 inches in diameter and long enough so that 
