Various methods are thus traceable throughout the western hemisphere for calling into existence the wondrous element, so peculiarly distinctive of man. Yet even in these, common relations of a very comprehensive character are apparent; while the Peruvian, with the solar mirror, stands apart alike from the rude Indian and the cultivated native of the Mexican plateau; and far to the south of both, the Fuegian finds in the natural products of his inhospitable clime a means of fire-making analogous to that which the Shawnee prophet taught his people to regard as one of the unhallowed practices of the Whites. All alike exhibit man, even in the rudest stage, master of the same secret; and turning to many useful, and even indispensable purposes, that which no other animal can be taught to use, or scarcely even to look upon without dread. ----- [57] Floureus, _De la Longévité Humaine_, p. 127. [58] Weddell’s _Voyage towards the South Pole in 1822-24_, p. 167. [59] A small sharp-nosed animal, not unlike the Guinea-pig. [60] _Canadian Journal, N.S._, vol. i. p. 509. [61] _Trans. Philosoph. Institute, Victoria_, vol. i. [62] _Clavigero_, vol. ii. p. 84. [63] _League of the Iroquois_, pp. 207-221. [64] _Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley_, p. 183. [65] _Wanderings of an Artist among the Indians of North America_, p. 188. CHAPTER VI. THE CANOE. THE USE OF TOOLS—TOOL-USING INSTINCT—RUDIMENTARY STAGE OF ART— PRIMITIVE RIVER-CRAFT—THE GUANAHANÈ CANOE—OCEAN NAVIGATION— AFRICAN CANOE-MAKING—OREGON CEDAR CANOES—NATIVE WHALERS OF THE PACIFIC—PREHISTORIC BOAT BUILDERS—MAWAI’S CANOES—THE POLYNESIAN ARCHIPELAGO—THE TERRA AUSTRALIS INCOGNITA— CANOE-FLEETS OF THE PACIFIC—PRIMITIVE NAVIGATION—PORTABLE BOATS—THE CORACLE AND KAIAK—THE PERUVIAN BALSA—OCEAN NAVIGATORS.