From the article archive
World A Week: Tools of the Canis; An Addendum
The intelligent, but not-handed, only pawed indigs of the Clans of the Canis still manage a few tools.
They make harnesses of fur primarily, but occasionally use a dog's favorite sprinkle to aid in tanning after teeth have scaped off most of the fur. The harnesses are hides with holes on one side, and flapping strings of fur or leather on the other side. The longer the better, as knots are infrequent, is the general rule. Usually, a great length of strap nuzzled through a hole by a helping dog is the only restraint a harness has. For heavier loads, the process is repeated.
The "pockets" in a harness are mere holes. An object is inserted, and it is chosen to have a knob or other protrusion to keep it from sliding through.
These objects are the usual tools. Branches, rocks, pine cones, bones, and such are used.
1)A long, thin branch becomes a termite snare.
2) A sturdier branch of greater length and with a 'y' becomes a honey nest disruptor for those Canis who can manage a tree climb with a long stick in the mouth.
3)A flint rock and an iron pyrite laden rock when dropped atop each other near some sap-laden pine combs and dried leaves create The Miracle of Fire.
4) A heavy, well-shaped rock is dropped on the skull of dead prey to save on wear and tear for the teeth.
5) The skillful can use a flint sharp-edged rock for cutting recalcitrant muscle, and for skinning.
6) Sticks with sap rolled on them, and then rolled in the stench of some foul odor, and then covered with more sap to partially dry are used as scent "smoke" in war, or in hunting the dreadfully clever, and tough Sabretooth. The outer covering is broken, and the inner goo releases its stink.
7) A lever is used to move things, and so is an inclined ramp stone(almost shaped like a chisel). The ramp stone is meant to be slid under a stone, and then the lever with its fulcrum stone can be placed underneath, and all those big grubs can be found. Also, such is used to move stones to make crude stone dams.
8) A branch with a broken off branch near one end serves as a hook to drag out things from crevices.
9) A large sprig of thornbush serves as armour in combat. It limits flank attacks.
10)The Canis use emergency torches which are longish branches which have an end covered in pine sap(or tar).
The Canis also use travois. Two long branches with branchhooks on them are used, as well a short straight branch. The short branch is held in the mouth horizontally, and level, and the hooks of the other branches are layed atop the pull branch.
Also, the Canis use long-burning torches. They stick a slow-burning branch into the campfire, and the dog in need grasps the other end in his mouth.
If you have any suggestions for new tools, or just want to review the article, please drop by the Article Forum, or place your comments here.
Tadeusz
They make harnesses of fur primarily, but occasionally use a dog's favorite sprinkle to aid in tanning after teeth have scaped off most of the fur. The harnesses are hides with holes on one side, and flapping strings of fur or leather on the other side. The longer the better, as knots are infrequent, is the general rule. Usually, a great length of strap nuzzled through a hole by a helping dog is the only restraint a harness has. For heavier loads, the process is repeated.
The "pockets" in a harness are mere holes. An object is inserted, and it is chosen to have a knob or other protrusion to keep it from sliding through.
These objects are the usual tools. Branches, rocks, pine cones, bones, and such are used.
1)A long, thin branch becomes a termite snare.
2) A sturdier branch of greater length and with a 'y' becomes a honey nest disruptor for those Canis who can manage a tree climb with a long stick in the mouth.
3)A flint rock and an iron pyrite laden rock when dropped atop each other near some sap-laden pine combs and dried leaves create The Miracle of Fire.
4) A heavy, well-shaped rock is dropped on the skull of dead prey to save on wear and tear for the teeth.
5) The skillful can use a flint sharp-edged rock for cutting recalcitrant muscle, and for skinning.
6) Sticks with sap rolled on them, and then rolled in the stench of some foul odor, and then covered with more sap to partially dry are used as scent "smoke" in war, or in hunting the dreadfully clever, and tough Sabretooth. The outer covering is broken, and the inner goo releases its stink.
7) A lever is used to move things, and so is an inclined ramp stone(almost shaped like a chisel). The ramp stone is meant to be slid under a stone, and then the lever with its fulcrum stone can be placed underneath, and all those big grubs can be found. Also, such is used to move stones to make crude stone dams.
8) A branch with a broken off branch near one end serves as a hook to drag out things from crevices.
9) A large sprig of thornbush serves as armour in combat. It limits flank attacks.
10)The Canis use emergency torches which are longish branches which have an end covered in pine sap(or tar).
The Canis also use travois. Two long branches with branchhooks on them are used, as well a short straight branch. The short branch is held in the mouth horizontally, and level, and the hooks of the other branches are layed atop the pull branch.
Also, the Canis use long-burning torches. They stick a slow-burning branch into the campfire, and the dog in need grasps the other end in his mouth.
If you have any suggestions for new tools, or just want to review the article, please drop by the Article Forum, or place your comments here.
Tadeusz
Recovered from the Gaming Outpost database backup. Original wording is preserved; damaged punctuation and presentation markup have been repaired. Historical links without a local match point to the Internet Archive.