WHOLE VOL. ARAUCANIAN CHILD LIFE — HILGER 247 



had names in the early days. Seasons are noted as they occur. De- 

 pending on the informant, there were formerly two, four, five, or seven 

 seasons. Equinoxes, too, are noted. Formerly, years were accounted 

 for by being associated with an important or unusual event. 



Weather is favorable or unfavorable, depending on the need at the 

 time. Each area studied had its own way of forecasting the weather, 

 which was affected by ocean currents, ocean winds, mountains, and 

 the seasons. Wind is thought to cause lightning. Thunder is God's 

 way of letting the people know that He has been offended. It appears 

 that little significance was attached to stars, constellations, and an 

 eclipse of the moon ; an eclipse of the sun formerly omened something 

 undesirable, and does so today. The four cardinal directions are 

 usually indicated by surrounding places (in the Cordillera; at the 

 coast) or locations (near the river; in the valley), rather than by 

 Araucanian words for them. 



The pointed end of a cow's horn, a seashell, and a whistle are used 

 in signaling today. (Smoke signaling was recorded by one of Cooper's 

 sources.) 



Linear measurements are made by eye, hand, and arm; the Chilean 

 meter, vara, and darea are also used. Material for clothing is meas- 

 ured by being fitted to the wearer. Quantity measurements are the ' 

 traditional ones of pinches, handfuls, the head end of an ox horn, 

 to which has been added the Chilean almud. Distance traveled is 

 measured by time consumed in riding there on horseback. 



Diversions.— WisMm, outside the family, is done primarily among 

 relatives. Usual topics of conversation are work, and events and news 

 of the day. Araucanians are good conversationalists. 



Activities of small children are often enjoyed by parents and others 

 during hours of visiting. Fables are told when children are listenmg 

 in- other interesting stories are told at any time. When conversation 

 lags, men (never women) play a game of chance with coins. In recent 

 years smoking has become a recreational habit for young people and 

 adults. Children do not smoke. 



Musical instruments at present are a whistle, a wind instrument, 

 and two types of bugle; none of these was used, traditionally, for 

 recreational purposes. According to Cooper's sources, a basketry 

 drum a drum made of a tree trunk, a flute, and a panpipe should be 

 added to the above. I heard the guitar and harmonica played as accom- 

 paniment to songs and social dances. Social dancing is not traditional ; 

 the singing of folk songs and ballads is. 



Competitive and other games were played by children, young people, 



