PREFACE XXV 



of the White Man, but they run in steadier and deeper channels. 

 His pride, his affections, his superstitions, are all directed towards 

 few objects. Free from the restraints and requirements of 

 polished life, aud in a great degree a solitary and independent 

 being, he obeys the impulses of his inclinations on the dictates of 

 his judgment ; and thus the attributes of his nature, being freely 

 indulged^ grow singly great and striking." 



To the disgrace of this age, the Onas, the evolution of their 

 land fr^m time unknown, have been deliberately all -but- 

 exterminated within the space of a few years, and that quite 

 recently, by fellow Men from over the seas ? Of Man it is 

 said that he is the highest and lowest being in creation. Can 

 it be said of those responsible for this crime, as is pleaded 

 for the Red Man by the Poet of the Northland, that : — 



''Every human heart is human, 

 In even savage bosoms 

 There are longings, yearnings, strivings. 

 For the good they comprehend not. 

 Feeble and helpless, 

 Grroping blindly in the darkness. 

 They touch God^s right hand " ? 



I appeal to all able to do anything, to do what is possible for 

 the preservation of those Onas who remain. 



In the fauna of Tierra del Fuego — Mammals especially — it is 

 remarkable that, although forms occurring in the island are met 

 with almost — if not quite — without exception on the mainland, 

 the converse is by no means the case. The Puma (Feh's concolor) ; 

 Pampas Cat {F. jjajeros); Skunk (Conepatus) ; Grey Fox 

 (^Canis griseus) ; Huemul {Xenelaphus hisidcus) ; Yiscacha 

 (Lagostomus trichodactylus) ; the Cavndce — in Cavia and Doli- 

 chotis ; and Armadillo {Dasypus) are absent. 



The largest land animal is the Guanaco (Auchema hiianacus), 

 until lately very plentiful, noW' — like the Onas — nearly extinct. 



The Guanaco is of the Camel family, and to the Camel bears 



a closer resemblance than to any other animal ; although of 



d 



