In Java, fire is sometimes procured by friction. D'Almeida says:—"Before starting on our return I felt desirous to smoke a cigar, in order to 'keep the cold out;' but finding I had forgotten my fusees, I asked one of the men if he could give me a light. He immediately picked up a dried piece of wood, and holding it fixed on the ground, asked one of his companions to rub another across it. This being quickly done, in less than five minutes the friction caused the upright piece to burn. The man soon blew it into a flame, and handed it to me."[1]
This very nearly resembles the mode of getting "fire" as practised by some of the Aborigines of New South Wales.
The Japanese, it is said, followed the system employed by the Australians.[2]
The Lepcha get fire after the manner of the Yarra tribe of Victoria.[3] This method of obtaining sacred fire, somewhat modified, is practised daily in the Hindu temples.[4]
- ↑ Life in Java, by Wm. Barrington D'Almeida, vol. II., p. 277.
- ↑ Taylor, p. 368.
- ↑ Descriptive Ethnology. Latham, vol. I., p. 89.
- ↑ Stevenson. Sâma Veda, pref. VII. Quoted by Kelly.
"I know not if the Hindus ever possessed the art of concentrating the sun's rays by a lens, so as to obtain fire by that process: that used by Brahmans for cooking, and for religious ceremonies, is produced by the friction of two pieces of hard wood; one about five inches diameter, with a small conical hole, or socket, in the upper part, into which the other, shaped like a pin, is introduced, and whirled about backward and forward by a bow; the pin and socket {{SIC|fittiog|fitting}, the great attrition soon produces fire. This machine, which every Brahman ought to possess, is called Arani, and should be made of the Sami tree (Adenanthera aculeata or Prosopis aculeata), it being sacred to DÉVI in the character of SAMA DÉVI; or if that be not procurable, of the Pipala, resembling in appearance and name some species of our poplar."—The Hindu Pantheon. Moor, p. 214.
in it. A piece of dry stuff, by way of tinder, is introduced into the tube, the piston-rod is slapped smartly down and withdrawn with a jerk, when the tinder is seen to be on fire." Sometimes a case of bamboo and a leaden piston, with a hole at the end for the reception of the tinder, are employed. They light tinder also by percussion, after a method not yet explained.
In the Mechanics' Magazine of the 18th August 1832 a description is given of an instrument exactly resembling the besiapi by a correspondent. The editor remarks that it is well known on the continent by the name of the "Instantaneous Light-giving Syringe." This method is mentioned also in the Intellectual Observer (September 1865) by A. S. Herschel, B.A.
The Rev, Mr. Taylor says the Dyaks are acquainted with the methods of the Red Indians, namely, the bow and string and the upright stick and cord. The Dyaks, who can smelt iron, construct good bridges, and forge useful tools, can scarcely be regarded as an uncivilized people.
Fire is thus obtained by the people of Sararak:—"One of the men strikes fire by means of a small branch of soft wood placed on the ground. Squatting opposite it, he holds it in its place by one of his toes, whilst some one places a foot on the opposite end for the same purpose. This piece of stick having been previously cut flat on the upper side, a pointed piece of harder wood, when it can be procured, is held in the right hand obliquely against the lower piece, somewhat as we hold a pen, with the left hand pressing on the fingers of the right to add force to it. It is at first gently moved along the line, the motion being gradually quickened, till some brown dust is scraped up at one end of the incision thus made, and the friction being then increased in velocity, the wood finally smokes and takes fire. A dry piece of poro or husk, brought from the house, where it is kept for the purpose, readily ignites when the burning dust is deposited in it, and being waved backwards and forwards, is soon in a blaze."—Wild Life among the Pacific Islanders. E. H. Lament, p. 156.
