INHABITANTS OF CHILI. 445 



greatly inferior to that of Europeans. They yield especially to small-pox, and to 

 dysentery, and their constitution is sapped by the alcoholic liquors fabricated by 

 the neighbouring settlers. 



In general of stout build, but without any great muscular development, they 

 are much shorter than the kindred Patagonians. The young men, who being 

 accustomed to the saddle make excellent grooms, have round soft features without 

 prominent bones, hence of a somewhat feminine cast. But the cheekbones grow 

 with years, the large nose acquires strength, and the expression assumes that 

 dignity and gravity which is so often combined with a gentle disposition. The 

 complexion, mostly a pale yellow, is lighter than that of the Quichuas. 



Their sonorous language, spoken with a measured utterance, is admirably 

 suited for oratorical display, so highly valued by this warlike people. Some words 

 of Quichua origin show that, although never reduced by the northern invaders, 

 they had received some of their civilisation from them, notably the art of reckon- 

 ing and a knowledge of various industrial processes. The acquisitive faculty is 

 strongly developed, and they are already scarcely inferior to their Chilian teachers 

 as husbandmen and stock-breeders. The chuera or linao, one of the national games, 

 closely resembles the English game of cricket. 



Those Araucanians who still keep aloof in their upland valleys worship, or 

 rather dread, the evil spirit Quecubii, whose wrath or malevolence they seek to 

 conjure by the intercession of the wizards. They do not believe in final extinction 

 after death, and accordingly dejjosit with the departed those objects which they 

 most valued in life. Till recently even horses were sacrificed on their graves ; but 

 all these practices are gradually yielding to the laws of inheritance. Like the 

 Quichuas in pre-Columbian times, they bury the dead seated, the knees bent back 

 to the breast. Like all the surrounding aborigines, they treat their women 

 well, although the universal practice of polygamy enables the wealthy to purchase 

 several wives, so that none remain for the poor. This is one of the causes of the 

 rapid decrease of the Araucanian race. 



The Fuegians, 



The Onas (Aona, Yacana), the Gente Grande (" Big People") of the Spaniards, 

 who are scattered in small groups over the large eastern island of Tierra del 

 Fuego (King Charles South Land), are undoubtedly Patagonians, like those of 

 the Argentine mainland. But they must have migrated at a somewhat remote 

 period into their new homes, certainl}^ before the arrival of the Europeans, for they 

 have no knowledge of the horse, whence their English name, " Foot Indians." 

 Recently they were estimated at 1,000 or perhaps 2,000, all born hunters, who 

 even chased the animals of the white settlers, being unable to understand 

 how five or six shepherds could have need of as many thousand sheep all for 

 themselves. Hence they are now hunted down in their turn by riders armed 

 with rifles, who receive a " capitation grant " of £1 sterling for every Indian 

 head. 



