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eleven thousand ; they are divided into seventy- 

 six districts or Ulmenates,. the greater part of 

 which are subject to the Spanish commanders, 

 and are obliged to render personal servkP' for 

 fifty days in the year, according to the feudal 

 laws, which are rigidly observed in this province, 

 notwithstanding they have been for a long time 

 abolished throughout the rest of the kingdom, 



* These islanders generally possess a quickness 

 of capacity and very readily learn whatever h 

 taught them. They have a genius for the me- 

 chanical arts, and excel in carpentery^ cabinet- 

 making, and turnery, from the frequent occa- 

 sions which they have to exercise them, ail their 

 churches and houses being built of wood. They 

 are very good manufacturers of linen and wool- 

 len, with which they mix the feathers of sea- 

 birds, and form beautiful coverings for their 

 beds. They make also ponchos, or cloaks of 

 Tarious kinds, striped or embroidered with silk 

 or thread. From their swine, which are very 

 numerous, they make excellent hams, the most 

 esteemed of any in South America. 



Notwithstanding the great quantity of timber 

 annually taken from them, these islands are co- 

 vered with thick woods ; and as it rains there 

 almost incessantly, the cultivated grounds con- 

 tinue wet the whole year. From hence it fol- 

 lows that the inhabifants, although they have 

 pattic, make no use of them for ploughing, but 



