CHAPTER IV. 



(1.) The Relief.— (2.) Patagonia. Soil and Climate.— (3.) Inhabitants. Mode 

 of Life and Occupations. Weapons. — (4.) Natives at Good Success Bay. — 

 (5.) Orange Harbor. Visit from the Natives. — (6.) Tierra del Fuego. De- 

 scription of the Country, and Products. — (7.) Animals and Birds. — (8.) The 

 Fuegians. Dress and Appearance. Degraded Condition. — (9.) Southern 

 Cruise. — (10.) Arrival of the Squadron at Valparaiso. 



(1.) After leaving Rio de Janeiro, Captain Long proceeded 

 with the Relief to the coast of Patagonia, where, in accord- 

 ance with his instructions, he commenced running a line of 

 soundings, and making examinations of the shoals said to exist 

 in that quarter. 



Like that of Tierra del Fuego, the Patagonian coast is 

 bold and rocky, but indented with frequent small bays or 

 harbors, which are scantily protected, however, against the 

 violence of the winds and waves. The Relief drew in to- 

 wards the land several times, sufficiently near to discover the 

 herds of guanacoes feeding on the slopes of the hills, and on 

 two occasions came to anchor ; but it was deemed hazardous 

 to remain so near the shore, and she accordingly hauled off' 

 where she would be sure of a wider berth in the event of a 

 storm. 



(2.) Patagonia was discovered by Magellan in 1519. On 

 account of the insecurity of its harbors, and their being so 

 difficult and dangerous of access, no permanent white settle- 

 ment has yet been formed in the country. About the year 

 1779, a party of Spaniards established themselves at Port 

 St. Julian, in latitude 49° 10' S., and longitude 67° 40' W. 5 

 but the attempt to colonize this inhospitable region was speed- 

 ily abandoned. A few expeditions have been undertaken 

 into the interior, yet very little is known, beyond the coast 



