Natives of Tierra del Fuego. 79 



of a mile the observer crossed without stepping 

 from the rocks, some of which were so large that 

 protection from the rain was found beneath them. 

 The native inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego were 

 looked for with interest, and the first view of them 

 was had at the Bay of Good Success, a group appear- 

 ing on the shore waving their tattered garments at 

 the voyagers. These were the popularly called 

 giants, as the natives of the land were supposed to 

 be much larger than any others, and are so to a cer- 

 tain extent. A boat was sent ashore and communi- 

 cation held with them. They were fine lusty fel- 

 lows fully six feet in height, and giants when com- 

 pared to the natives previously seen. They were of 

 a dirty copper color, and, though the climate was 

 rigorous, clothed in a simple guanaco skin thrown 

 over the shoulders, 



Darwin presented an old man with some slight 

 gift, at which he patted the donor's breast, uttering 

 a sound like that of calling chickens, then bared his 

 breast for a return of what was considered a courtesy. 

 Darwin noticed that they were skilful mimics, as 

 every action of his, even a yawn, was repeated, and, 

 more remarkable yet, they repeated the words and 

 sentences spoken to them with exactness. 



The visit to these people had a significance, as 

 aboard the Beagle were several Fuegians, who had 

 been taken to England on a previous trip to be edu- 

 cated and civilised, — a philanthropic act of Captain 

 Fitz-Roy, who was now bringing them back with a 

 missionary, who proposed to live with their people 

 and undertake the work of elevating them to a 



