36 



TERRA DEL FUEGO. 



guns did not frighten them in the slightest degree. We 

 also observed on one of them a string of glass beads. 



Their food consists principally of shell-fish and fish. Their 

 fishing-apparatus is made of the dorsal-fin of a fish, tied to 

 a slip of whalebone in the form of a barb ; this serves as a 

 hook, and with it they obtain their food. 



All our endeavors to entice them to come on board by 

 friendly treatment, and the offer of presents, were useless. 

 They shook their heads and pointed to the woods, and then 

 ran some distance from the beach, as if they feared that 

 we intended to carry them off by force. 



On the 24th we quitted Good Success Bay. We expe- 

 rienced during this day a strong current, setting northerly. 

 The coast here may be represented as a succession of peaks, 

 some of which rise so high as to be covered with perpetual 

 snows. The weather was mild and pleasant. 



On the 2 5 tli the wind came out from the southwest, and 

 blew very fresh at intervals. At 5 P. M., anchored off 

 north-eastern side of New Island. After sunset the wea- 

 ther cleared, and we had a very pleasant night. 



On the following morning, after breakfast, we visited the 

 shore. We saw no human beings, but found near the beach 

 a hut, which bore many traces of being inhabited. It con- 

 tained a large number of muscle-shells which looked fresh, 

 a part of a seal-skin, and a large heap of ashes. We also 

 observed that the ground about the entrance was hard and 

 destitute of vegetation. The hut was constructed of logs, 

 the lower ends of which were spread round so as to form 

 nearly a perfect circle, while the upper ends leaned against 

 each other. The interstices were filled with earth and grass. 

 In the centre was a hole, about two feet in circumference, 

 for the smoke to pass through. The entrance was from the 

 west, and was about three feet in height and two feet wide. 



