1B5 



These islanders generally possess a quickness of 

 capacity, and very readily learn whatever is taught 

 them. They have a genius for the mechanical arts, 

 and excel in carpentery, cabinet making and turnery, 

 from the frequent occasions which they have to ex,- 

 ercise them, all their churches and houses being 

 built of wood. They are very good manufacturers 

 of linen and woollen, with which they mix the fea- 

 thers of sea-birds, and form beautiful coverings for 

 their beds. They make also ponchos, or cloaks of 

 various kinds, striped or embroidered with silk or 

 thread. From their swine, which are very nume- 

 rous, they make excellent hams, the most esteemed 

 of any in South America, 



Notwithstanding the great quantity of timber an- 

 nually taken from them, these islands are covered 

 with thick woods ; and as it rains there almost 

 incessantly, the cultivated grounds continue wet the 

 whole year. From hence it follows that the in- 

 habitants, although they have cattle, make no use 

 of them for ploughing, but till the earth in a very 

 singular manner. About three months before sow- 

 ing time they turn their sheep upon their lands, 

 changing their situation every tliree or four nights. 

 When the field is sufficiently manured in this man- 

 ner they strew the grain oyer it. One of their strong- 

 est men then attempts . to harrow it by means' of a 

 machine formed of two large sticks of hard wood 

 made sharp and fastened together, which he forces 

 into the ground with his breast, and thus covers the 

 ^eed. Notwithstanding this imperfect tillage, a crop 

 of wheat will yield them ten or twelve for one. 



Vol.. U. ,V a 



