SOUTHERN CHILI AND ARGENTINA 



575 



to small rings passed through the lobes of the ears. By the men silver is used, when 

 circumstances permit, to adorn their pipes, knife-hilts and sheaths, belts, and horse-trappings; 

 silver 'spurs and stirrups being added by those who can afford such luxuries. Although the 

 beads are imported, the silver ornaments are hammered out of the dollars taken in commercial 

 transactions. 



During their frequent journeyings the babies are carried in wicker and hide-thong cradles, 

 made to fit on their mothers' saddles; these cradles, in the case of affluent families, being 

 ornamented with brass bells or silver plates. The paint used for the face and body on ordinary 

 occasions is made of ochre and black earth mixed with guanaco marrow; but on special occa- 

 sions white paint and powdered gypsum are employed. In their ceremonial dances the men, 

 who are clothed in nothing but a loin-cloth, decorate their heads \v4th the plumes of the 

 rhea, or South American ostrich, and wear a belt, to which are affixed brass bells, across one 

 shoulder. Bathing forms a regular part of the morning toilet; notwithstanding which Tehuelche 

 garments swarm with vermin. Any hairs that may be brushed out during the toilet, as well 

 as all nail-parings, are scrupulously burnt. 



The Tehuelches dwell in capacious tents made of guanaco-hide; but as to describe these 

 would exceed the limits of our space, our readers may be referred to one of the plates illustrating 

 Lady Florence Dixie's "Across Patagonia." The opening of the toldo, as the tent is called, 

 is directed away from the prevailing wind, and a fire lighted just in the entrance. The 

 furniture comprises a few bolsters, made out of old ponchos, and one or two horse-hides to 

 serve as curtains. An iron spit forms the most important cooking utensil, but sometimes 

 an iron pot may be added; while armadillo-shells or wooden platters, in which to hold 

 broth, may also form a part of the equipment. In the old days, at least, the flesh of the 

 rhea formed the favourite food, guanaco-flesh, as well as that of the pampas deer, being 

 less esteemed. Blood is on all occasions 

 drunk eagerly; and marrow and fat, 

 in the absence of farinaceous food, form 

 essential articles of diet. Horse-flesh seems 

 to be chiefly eaten at dances and other 

 ceremonies. The chief weapons used in 

 hunting are the bolas and the lasso; of 

 the former there are two types, one, the 

 cliume, fitted with two balls and employed 

 in rhea-hunting, and the other, called 

 yacltiko, furnished with three balls and used 

 for taking the guanaco. Formerly the balls 

 were made of stone, the most ancient type 

 being distinguished by having a deep 

 groove chiselled round it; but other sub- 

 stances are now employed. Guanaco and 

 rhea are caught by being struck round the 

 neck, although cattle and horses are balled 

 round the hind-legs. Flint arrow-heads are 

 met with in many parts of Patagonia. 



TIERRA DEL FUEGO. 



LEAVING the continent of South America, 

 our brief remaining space must be devoted to 

 the inhabitants of the desolate and storm- 

 swept island to the south of the Strait of Photu blj ,,/. 

 Magelhaen. The typical Fuegians are properly 



