THE PUELCHES. 137 



PLATE XIII. 



PUELCHE OF PATAGONIA. 



The original of this drawing was made in Paris with the preceding one, 

 under the inspection of Dr. E. C. Evans. I have to regret that I possess no 

 measurements ; but the accuracy and beauty of the delineation convey as perfect 

 an idea of the cranium of the Puelches as can be attained by a drawing. We are 

 at once struck with the broad face, the projecting upper jaw, the arching of the 

 zygoma, the low os frontis, the flattened occiput, and the fulness of development 

 above the opening of the ear. The size of the lower jaw and the perfection of 

 the teeth are also characteristic. 



THE CHARRUAS. 



This powerful nation originally inhabited the northern shore of the Rio de 

 la Plata, and extended their possessions to a distance of thirty leagues parallel 

 with that river. They are of the middle stature, well proportioned, erect and 

 active ; and according to De Azara, on whom I chiefly depend for these details, 

 the whole nation would scarcely produce a man too fat, too meagre, or deformed. 

 They hold the head erect, with a bold physiognomy and fierce countenance, 

 indicative of their ferocity and haughtiness. Their color is nearer a black than 

 a w^hite, with very little mixture of red. Their nose is straight, their eyes rather 

 small, bright and always black, and are never observed entirely open, at the same 

 time that they can see better and twice as far as Europeans. Their teeth are 

 well arranged, very white, and rarely fall out spontaneously. Their hands and 

 feet are small and admirably proportioned. 



All the energies, mental and physical, of these people are devoted to war 

 alone. They have no diversions, nor dances, nor songs, nor instruments of music, 

 nor social assemblages. Their habitual gravity conceals the passions ; they never 

 laugh aloud, and always address each other in a subdued tone of voice. They 

 have no religion, no forms of politeness, no laws, no rewards and no punishments ; 

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