Show THE ORIGIN OF FIRE I jkartod by a Whale According to the South Sea Islanders The South Sea islanders tell a curious story of the origin of fire If they are to be believed they came into possession of that useful clement in the following manner A great whale was once washed wash-ed ashore upon ono of their islands during the prevalence of a terrible hurricane The monster became entangled in a grove of tallow trees a species of evergreens ever-greens whose branches easily ignite and while gnashing his teeth in his impotent im-potent rage struck off a spark which lighted the grove and consumed both trees and whale Fires which are said to have been perpetuated since the day of the great whale fire may yet be I seen burning in many parts of the islands is-lands Another fire legend believed in by the inhabitants of the islands to the north of ihe ones in which the great whale fire is preserved is to the effect that a great air dragon probably lightning light-ning breathed upon a tallow tree and set its branches on fire From the coals left from this fire they learned of its groat value and have ever since used the element for domestic purposes and in their religious ceremonies They also have a tradition that tho time will come when the dragon will return for the fire i and that no man will be able to withstand with-stand him and save the sacred spark except ex-cept he be a person born with pink eyes fair skin and white hair For this reason rea-son tho birth of an albino is always hailed as a good omen and his or her person guarded with jealous care so as to preserve life to its utmost limit Marionette mentions seeing a fire god + or fire guard albino while on his visit to the islands who was believed I to be at least 155 years old and who had I always been provided for by the tribe Roffinesque who made South Sea island is-land myths and legends a study for years is of tho opinion that the return I I of the dragon for his fire is symbolic of death and the flight of the spiritSt I Louis Republic |