TIERRA DEL FUEGO. 541 



large, the chin small, but not retreating. They had attained, at the 

 time of the Spanish invasion, an elevated degree of civilization. 

 They support with difficulty the yoke of the stranger, and the melan- 

 choly with which the remembrance of their past greatness inspires 

 them the recollection of their vanished independence is reflected 

 in their grave physiognomy and the sombre and mistrustful expres- 

 sion of their gaze. 



The fourth South American race may be considered as a more 

 southernly expansion of the preceding. Ethnologists designate it 

 the Araucanian. The region which it occupies stretches from the 

 30th parallel of south latitude to the vicinity of Tierra del Fuego. 

 The Araucanians properly so called form three tribes that of the 

 Ranquels, the Huilliches, and the Aucas. They are warriors and 

 nomades. It was in Araucania that a French adventurer, some few 

 years ago, was declared king under the title of Orelie Antoine I. 

 Overthrown and captured by the Chilian Government, with whom 

 he had embroiled himself in hostilities, he succeeded in effecting his 

 escape and returning to Europe, where his adventures became a 

 " nine days' wonder." 



To the Araucanian branch belong the Pecherais, an ichthyophagous 

 tribe of Tierra del Fuego. 



The natives of these islands, says Admiral Wilkes,* are not more 

 than five feet high, of a light copper colour, which is much concealed 

 by smut and dirt, particularly on their faces, which they mark ver- 

 tically with charcoal. They have short faces, narrow foreheads, and 

 high cheek-bones. Their eyes are small and usually black, the upper 

 lids in the inner corner overlapping the under one, and bear a strong 

 resemblance to those of the Chinese. The nose is broad and flat, 

 with wide-spread nostrils, mouth large, teeth white, large, and regular. 

 The hair is long, lank, and black, hanging over the face, and is 

 covered with white ashes, which give them a hideous appearance. 

 The whole face is compressed. Their bodies are remarkable from the 

 * Admiral Wilkes, " Narrative of the U. S. Exploring Expedition." 



