B. M.
Meaning of "Farlief".—May I ask for a definition of the word "farlief", used in Devonshire to designate some service or payment to the lord of the manor by his copyholders, apparently analogous to the old feudal "relief"?
V. J. S.
Margaret Dyneley.—In Stanford Dingley Church, Berkshire, there is a "brass" of Margaret Dyneley, from whose family, I presume, the parish has received its appellation of Dingley. As, however, I have not yet succeeded in obtaining any account as to this lady or her ancestors, I should feel obliged by any information which your learned correspondents only be able to afford.
J. H. K.
Tristan d'Acunha.—Cosmopolite will be glad to have references to any authentic sources of information respecting the island of Tristan d'Acunha.
Production of Fire by Friction.—In most of the accounts written by persons who have visited the South Sea Islands, we meet with descriptions of the method adopted by the natives to produce fire by the rapid attrition of two bits of wood. Now I wish to ask whether any person has ever seen the same effect produced in this country by similar means? If not, to what cause is the difficulty—if such difficulty really exists—attributable?
Does it depend upon the nature of the wood used, the condition of the atmosphere, or the dexterity of the operator? I have not quoted any particular passages, as they are sufficiently familiar to readers of voyages and travels in the South Sea hemisphere; and although they exhibit some diversity in the modus operandi, the principle involved is essentially the same in each mode. I need scarcely add, that I am of course well aware of the means by which, whether by accident or design, heat is ordinarily generated by friction in this country.
D.