434 APPENDIX. 



where waistbands are generally used,) and a pair of horse-skin boots, all 

 manufactured by their women. In summer the poncho is but little worn, 

 as the weather is sufficiently warm without it. The women wear a cloth 

 round the waist, which reaches to the knees : a square piece of cloth is 

 passed underneath the right arm-pit, the corners of which are made fast 

 over, and in front of, the left shoulder, by a large silver skewer about 12 

 or 14 inches in length. Their breasts, which in general are immoderately 

 large, and the greater part of the body, are entirely exposed to view. Their 

 hair forms two long queues ; which, being bound in selvages, covered with 

 beads of divers colours, are brought round the forehead and temples like a 

 band, the ends tying over the forehead. Their ear-rings are large square 

 pieces of silver, rather thin, and hang down on the shoulders. They wear 

 broad necklaces of various coloured beads, and bracelets of the same. Some 

 of them also wear broad girdles round the waist, which are covered with gold 

 and silver coins, beads, &c. The unmarried women are known by wearing- 

 bracelets on their legs, and their dresses are generally comparatively richer 

 than those of the married women : by this superiority in dress, their fathers 

 expect them to attract the attention of some rich warriors, who, to possess the 

 fair, must give to her father some horses, money, ponchos, or an equivalent 

 of some description, in exchange for his bride, who then becomes his slave, 

 and whose life is from that moment at the disposition of her purchaser. Nor 

 are females allowed any choice in the election of their conjugal masters. 

 The avarice of the father is only consulted ; and when a marriage or ex- 

 change of masters takes place, all the father's authority ceases, and the 

 daughter looks on him only as a stranger, her filial love and obedience 

 having been transferred with her person to her buyer. 



The women are affable, generous, and attentive to strangers. Their fea- 

 tures are by no means displeasing : there are some among them whose coun- 

 tenances are indicative of innate goodness ; and, though their costumes are 

 not calculated to make the most advantageous display of their charms, there 

 are many of them pretty, and exceedingly interesting. 



Many authors have supposed (and perhaps have had strong reasons for the 

 supposition) that Patagonia was inhabited by a gigantic race of Indians : a 

 contradiction from me would be as impertinent as unavailing against the 

 torrent of opinion ; but I will say, that I have not seen any of that race, nor 

 could I learn from any information of the natives that such a people do or 

 did exist. 



They are of good stature, well made ; and if compared with the diminutive 



