121 



CHAP. X. 



Food ; Music and other Diversions. 



The usual diet of the Araucanians is very sim- 

 ple ; their principal subsistence is several kinds 

 of grain and pulse, which they prepare in a 

 variety of different modes. They are particu- 

 larly fond of maize or Indian corn, and potatoes; 

 of the last they have cultivated more than thirty 

 different kinds from time immemorial, esteeming 

 them a very healthy nutriment, which the ex- 

 perience of ages has sufficiently demonstrated. 

 Although they have large and small animals and 

 birds in plenty, yet they eat but little flesh, and 

 that is simply boiled or roasted. They have the 

 same abstemiousness in the use of pork, from 

 which they know very well how to prepare 

 black puddings and sausages. Their seas and 

 rivers abound with excellent fish, but they do 

 not much esteem this kind of aliment. Instead 

 of bread, which they are not accustomed to eat 

 except at their entertainments, they make use of 

 small cakes or roasted potatoes with a little salt. 

 Their usual drinks consist of various kinds 'of 

 beer and of cider, made from Indian corn, from 

 -apples and other fruits of the country. They 



