FORMER ACCOUNTS OF PATAGONIANS. 99 
a heap of stones, describe the skeletons as measuring ten or 
eleven feet in length, ‘‘ the skulls of which we could put on our 
heads in the manner of helmets !” 
The Nodales did not see any people on the northern side of 
the Strait ; those with whom they communicated were natives 
of Tierra del Fuego, of whose form no particular notice is 
taken. 
Sir John Narborough saw Indians at Port San Julian, and 
describes them as “ people of a middling stature: well-shaped. 
* * * Mr. Wood was taller than any of them.” He also 
had an interview with nineteen natives upon Elizabeth Island, 
but they were Fuegians. 
In the year 1741, Patagonian Indians were seen by Bulkley 
and his companions. They were mounted on horses, or mules, 
which is the first notice we have of their possessing those 
animals. 
Duclos de Guyot, in the year 1766, had an interview with 
seven Patagonian Indians, who were mounted on_ horses 
equipped with saddles, bridles, and stirrups. ‘The shortest of 
the men measured five feet eleven inches and a quarter English. 
The others were considerably taller. Their chief or leader 
they called ¢ Capitan.’ 
Bougainville, in 1767, landed amongst the Patagonians. Of 
their size he remarks: ‘“ They have a fine shape; among those 
whom we saw, not one was below five feet ten inches and a 
‘quarter (English), nor above six feet two inches and a half in 
height. heir gigantic appearance arises from their pro- 
digiously broad shoulders, the size of their heads, and the 
thickness of all their limbs. They are robust and well fed : 
their nerves are braced and their muscles strong, and sufficiently 
hard, &c.” This is an excellent account ; but how different is 
that of Commodore Byron, who says, “ One of them, who 
afterwards appeared to be chief, came towards me; he was of 
gigantic stature, and seemed to realise the tales of monsters in 
a human shape: he had the skin of some wild beast thrown 
over his shoulders, as a Scotch Highlander wears his plaid, 
and was painted so as to make the most hideous appearance I 
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