Fuegians at Port Henry. 67 



now appears on the chart, of the " Organ-pipe Range." The 

 aspect of the vegetation is also different from that of other 

 ports in these waters, owing to the abundance of a veronica 

 ( V. decussatd), which forms large glossy-green bushes, covered 

 with a profusion of snow-white flowers, and so varies the other- 

 wise monotonously green appearance of the beech forest. 



Only one party of natives was here seen. They at first 

 approached us very stealthily, paddling between the small islands 

 off the eastern entrance of the harbour, and after the usual 

 interchange of signals (waving of green boughs and caps), they 

 came alongside. The boat was similar in construction and size 

 to those already examined at Tom Bay and elsewhere ; but we 

 were now greatly struck at perceiving what a load it could 

 accommodate ; for there were in it sixteen natives and six dogs, 

 besides provisions, weapons, and camp furniture. The party 

 consisted of three men, five women, and eight children ; and 

 although they pulled only three oars (the women never taking 

 part in this work), yet they managed to get along at a fair 

 pace. On their arrival they were partially clad in seal skins ; 

 but in their eagerness to barter with our seamen, for knives, 

 tobacco, and such treasures, they soon divested themselves of 

 all artificial garb, and appeared in a state of nature. It was 

 noticed that the males, who conducted the barter, compelled 

 the women to give up their scanty covering. In the way of 

 provisions, the boat contained a supply of large trumpet shells 

 {Concliolepas) in rush baskets, and the drinking water was carried 

 in little bark buckets. They encamped near us for the night, 

 but disappeared unaccountably the next day. 



On our exploring the islets just mentioned, we found a large 

 deserted encampment, in which we counted the remains of nine 

 native huts. The refuse-heaps contained a good many seal and 

 whale bones, besides echinoderms, limpet and trumpet shells, 

 the latter shell here taking the place of the mussel. The 

 trumpet shell {Concltolepas) is found about the entrance of the 



