320 



BIMANA. 



duces a peculiar expression of mingled simplicity and shrewdness, daring 

 and timidity, with a singularly wild look, never seen in civilized man. 

 The body is long and large, the chest broad and expanded, the neck 

 short and thick, the arms disproportionate to the body, as are also the 

 thighs and legs. The females, in stature and physiognomy, so nearly 

 resemble the men, that, unless by the hair, it is not easy for a stranger 

 to distinguish them. 



The annexed engraving (fig. 231) is a representation of the Pata- 

 gonian physiognomy. 



231 



Patagoni 



The Patagonians possess horses and dogs, which are used in the 

 chase, and also oxen : their principal food is the flesh of Mares, Rheas, 

 (or American Ostriches), Cavies, Guanacos, &c. ; but the flesh of Mares 

 is preferred to that of other animals. Their arms are balls, similar to 

 those used by the Indians of the Pampas, consisting of stone, or of 

 hardened clay, or of bags of skin filled with iron pyrites, and then 

 dried ; and of these balls, sometimes two, sometimes three, are connected 

 together, by means of a thong of hide, from two to four yards in length : 

 they can throw these with such dexterity as to entwine the thongs about 



