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90
Ojibway. "Was..na.gon." torch of birchbark. (Haupt det)
length 34 inches diameter 4 "
Artificial lights among the indian in the sense that the white men use them are unknown. A signal fire is lit on occasion but among the Dakotas we never knew of a light to be carried about. there is no need hence the thing does not occur. On the plains the nights rarely occurs where it is to dark to see objects in the open air. In northern latitudes in summer the twilight endures til after ten oclock at night. and the sun rises betimes in the morning. The Ojibway however living in the woods do at times us a light and these are made of birch bark. and known as "Was na gos." The birch bark is stripped from the tree heated and rolled up tightly to a diameter of about three inches and such a roll or torch thirty four inches long will it is said burn an hour and with his "Wa na gos" the Ojibway will pursue the deer at night or follow any other exploit he sees fit. However the se of the "Wa na gos" is an innovation acquired from their contact with the white man. In the south the native uses the "fat pine" as a torch. he has no birch bark hence he cannot use it. To the Ojibway indian the birch tree is surely a great boon. it furnishes him shelter, the means of transportation light and heat. Birch bark where ever found, floating in the water or freshly stripped from the tree, when torn into shreds
furnishes the most excellent tinder procurable a single spark of fire produces in it a flame which neither
wind or rain will extinguish, and in the ojibway country it is ever present and constantly in demand