450 MB. rouse's assistance. June. 



conversant in Araucanian habits and language, even if they 

 should have made a slight acquaintance with those of Chile. 

 His assistance proved to be of the utmost consequence, for not 

 only did his explanations intimidate and discourage open or 

 disguised enemies, who were not wanting, but his credit and 

 influence procured daily supplies of provisions: while to his 

 address and good sense every one of the shipwrecked crew 

 was much indebted in many transactions. 



Dayhght found Seymour and myself still talking, though 

 he had given me his bed. Partly at that time, and partly in 

 subsequent conversations, he gave me the following account of 

 the loss of the Challenger ; but without mentioning his own 

 exertions or conduct, which I heard of from his officers. 



I will take this opportunity of mentioning that there is a large fox, 

 called ' culpen,' in the Araucanian country, which was mentioned to me as 

 heing more like a wolf than a fox; but at that time I paid very little atten- 

 tion to the subject. Stevenson sa}'s, " the culpen is rather more foolish 

 than daring, but not void of the latter quality. It will advance within eight, 

 or ten paces of a man, and after looking at him for some time, will retire 

 carelessly." " Its colour is a dark reddish brown, with a long straight 

 tail covered with shaggy hair; its height is about two feet." — Stevenson's 

 South America, vol. i. p. 115. (Is not this like the Falkland animal?) 



(Note referred to in page 423.) 



(a) UUoa said that the word ' cochayuyo ' meant 'lake herb.' His 

 authority is too good to be lightly questioned, otherwise I should have 

 had no doubt that the word was derived from * cochun,' ' salt,' or ' bitter,' 

 and ' yu,' a thread : as the plant grows with long thread-like stalks, which 

 taste salt, like most sea-weed : and ' lavquen ' is the word generally used 

 for ' lake,' as well as * sea,' rather than ' cocha.' 



