376 SOUTH AMEEICA— THE AXDES EEGIONS. 



in Paraguay, is nevertheless more distinct than the Guarajo from the primitive 

 stock. 



A part of the nation, settled by the missionaries in large villages, has accepted 

 Christianity, and these are said to be rapidly increasing in the province of Tarija. 

 But most of the Chiriguanos have preserved their independence, and these wild 

 tribes are estimated by D'Orbigny to number altogether 19,000. Being of indus- 

 trious habits, they eagerly seek employment in various occupations be3'ond the 

 field operations and other pursuits necessary for their support. Of the numerous 

 peoples mentioned as practising the couvade, none would appear to have till recently 

 observed this strange custom more strictly than the Chiriguanos. 



Their councils of war, compared with those of other peoples, presented some 

 original features. They sought inspiration first in music and dancing ; then, 

 after deliberating the whole night long, they bathed at dawn, painted their faces, 

 decked themselves in plumes, fasted, and put the final decision to the vote. Both 

 Christians and pagans seem singularly indiffèrent to religious matters ; but, like 

 practical men, they readily accept whatever comforts may be derived from Euro- 

 pean culture. 



The Tobas, a people of the Pilcomayo basin, conterminous with the Chiriguanos, 

 have often attempted to seize some of their Bolivian valleys ; they also occasionally 

 undertake marauding expeditions, plundering and murdering the surrounding 

 populations. They are much dreaded, and at Bolivian feasts the figures of Tobas, 

 adorned with ostrich feathers, are always introduced to represent typical "savages." 

 It was while attempting to traverse the Tobas territory, in order to reach Bolivia 

 by the direct route of the Pilcomayo, that the French explorer Crevaux and his 

 companions met their death. 



The Sirionos, another Guarani people now settled in Bolivia, appear to number, 

 according to D'Orbigny's estimate, not more than 1,000 souls. Holding the 

 whites and half-castes in abhorrence, they dwell north of the Chiriguanos, and 

 not far from the Guarayos, in the forests through which winds the Bio Grande. 

 The immigration into this district certainly dates from a very remote epoch, for 

 their Guarani speech has become so corrupted that they have great difficulty in 

 understanding their Chiriguano neighbours. Despite their long sojourn in a 

 region abounding in navigable waters, they have not yet learnt to build boats ; 

 hence when they have to cross the streams they skilfully suspend lianas from bank 

 to bank, availing themselves of snags or other convenient supports lying athwart 

 the current. 



The Antisiaxs. 



West of the Bio ]\Iamoré, and north of the Cochabamba and Carabaya Andes, 

 the Indians of North Bolivia who roam the region of plains and foothills are 

 designated in a general way as Antisians, a collective name which embraces several 

 groups differing greatly from each other in many respects. The civilised people 

 of the plateaux usually call them Chunchos, a word which, as used by them, has 

 simply the meaning of " Savages." 



