440 LARGE WIGWAM—BIRCH FUNGUS. May 1830. 
to be mischievous, than the western race: their language sounded 
similar to that of the natives whom we saw in Orange Bay. We 
found a very large wigwam, built in a substantial manner, and 
a much better place to live in than many of the huts which are 
called houses in Childe. I think twenty men might have stood 
upright in it, in a circle; but, probably, of these Fuegians, it 
would house thirty or forty in the cold weather. 
‘«¢ While our men were making a fire and cooking, I walked 
into the wood, but found it bore little resemblance to that 
which our eyes had lately been accustomed to. The trees were 
mostly birch, but grew tall and straight. The ground was dry 
and covered with withered leaves, which crackled as I walked ; 
whereas, in other parts where we had lately passed our time, 
the splashing sound of wet, marshy soil had always attended 
our footsteps, when not on rock. These Fuegians appeared 
to think the excrescences which grow on the birch trees, like 
the gall-nuts on an oak, an estimable dainty. They offered us 
several, some as large as an apple, and seemed surprised at our 
refusal. Most of them had a small piece of guanaco, or seal- 
skin, on their shoulders or bodies, but not enough for warmth : 
perhaps they did not willingly approach strangers with their 
usual skin dress about them, their first impulse, on seeing us, 
being to hide it. Several, whom I surprised at their wigwams, 
had large skins round their bodies, which they concealed 
directly they saw me. Fish and the birch fungus must be their 
chief food, for shell-fish are scarce and small; but they catch 
an abundance of excellent rock-fish, smelt, and what might be 
called a yellow mullet. Guanaco meat may occasionally be 
obtained by them, but not in sufficient quantity to be depended 
upon as an article of daily subsistence. 
“«« Leaving the natives, we sailed across towards the western 
arm of the long channel, and continued making our way west- 
ward, with oar and sail, until dusk, when we landed, unper- 
ceived, as we thought, and established ourselves for the night. 
Just as we had moored the boat, kindled a fire, and pitched 
our tent, a canoe came into the cove; another and another 
followed, until we were surrounded with natives. Knowing 
