230 TIERRA DEL FUEGO. [chap. x. 



improved. At present, even a piece of cloth given to one is 

 torn into shreds and distributed ; and no one individual becomes 

 richer than another. On the other hand, it is difficult to under- 

 stand how a chief can arise till there is property of some sort by 

 which he might manifest his superiority and increase his power. 

 I believe, in this extreme part of South America, man exists 

 in a lower state of improvement than in any other part of the 

 world. The South Sea Islanders of the two races inhabiting 

 the Pacific, are comparatively civilized. The Esquimaux, in his 

 subterranean hut, enjoys some of the comforts of life, and in his 

 canoe, when fully equipped, manifests much skill. Some of the 

 tribes of Southern Africa, prowling about in search of roots, and 

 living concealed on the wild and arid plains, are sufficiently 

 wretched. The Australian, in the simplicity of the arts of life, 

 comes nearest the Fuegian : he can, however, boast of his boo- 

 merang, his spear and throvving-stick, his method of climbing 

 trees, of tracking animals, and of hunting. Although the Aus- 

 tralian may be superior in acquirements, it by no means follows 

 that he is likewise superior in mental capacity : indeed, from 

 what I saw of the Fuegians when on board, and from what I 

 have read of the Australians, I should think the case was exactly 

 the reverse. 



