410 NATURE OF TIERRA DEL FUEGO. March 1830. 
They seemed to belong to the same tribe as those we had last 
seen. 
«“ 4th. This afternoon our boat’s keel was laid down, and 
her moulds were set up. Fuegia Basket* told ‘York Min- 
ster’ + all her story; at some parts of which he laughed 
heartily. Fuegia, cleaned and dressed, was much improved in 
appearance: she was already a pet on the lower deck, and 
appeared to be quite contented. York Minster was sullen at 
first, yet his appetite did not fail; and whatever he received 
more than he could eat, he stowed away in a corner; but as 
soon as he was well cleaned and clothed, and allowed to go 
about where he liked in the vessel, he became much more 
cheerful. 
** At Cape Castlereagh and the heights over Doris Cove in 
Gilbert Island, the rock seemed to contain so much metal, that 
I spent the greater part of one day in trying experiments on 
pieces of it, with a blowpipe and mercury. By pounding and 
washing I separated about a tea-spoonful of metal from a piece 
of rock (taken at random) the size of a small cup. I put the 
powder by carefully, with some specimens of the rock—think- 
ing that some of these otherwise barren mountains might be 
rich in metals. It would not be in conformity with most other 
parts of the world were the tract of mountainous islands com- 
posing the Archipelago of Tierra del Fuego condemned to in- 
ternal as well as external unprofitableness. From the nature of 
the climate agriculture could seldom succeed; and perhaps no 
quadrupeds fit for man’s use, except goats and dogs, could 
thrive in it: externally too, the land is unfit for the use of 
civilized man. Ina few years its shores will be destitute of seal: 
and then, what benefit will be derived from it ?—unless it 
prove internally rich, not in gold or silver, but perhaps in > 
copper, iron, or other metals. 
‘“‘ 5th. This day all hands were put on full allowance, our 
savings since we left San Carlos having secured a sufficient 
* So called in remembrance of the basket-like canoe by which we 
received intelligence of the loss of our boat. 
+ The man I took out of the canoe. 
