140 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



I think I may not unfitly bring this chapter to a close by 

 giving my reader a short account of what is known of the 

 habits and customs of this remarkable people, and I shall 

 begin by citing a few of the descriptions given of them by the 

 earlier voyagers. The first of these is given by Antonio Piga- 

 fetta, the historian of Magellan's voyage, and is so curiously 

 quaint in its language, that I quote the greater part, as it 

 may amuse some of those who have not been previously 

 acquainted with it. He narrates that after they had spent 

 about two months at Port St Julian-^* 



" One day by chance they espyed a man of the stature of a Giant, who 

 came to the Hauen dancing and singing, and shortly after seemed 

 to cast dust ouer his head. The Captaine sent one of his men to the 

 shore with the ship Boat, who made the like sign of peace. The 

 which thing the Giant seeing, was out of feare, and came with the 

 Captaine's seruant to his presence into a little Hand. When hee saw 

 the Captaine with certaine of his companie about him, hee was greatly 

 amazed, and made signes, holding vp his hand to Heauen, signifying 

 thereby that our men came from thence. This Giant was so big, that 

 the head of one of our men of a meane stature came but to his Waste. 

 He was of good corporature, and well made in all parts of his body, 

 with a large Visage, painted with diners colours, but for the most part 

 yellow. Upon his Cheekes were painted two Harts and Ked Circles 

 about his Eyes. The Hayre of his Head was coloured white, and his 

 Apparell was the Skinne of a Beast sewed together. This Beast (as 

 seemed vnto us) had a large head, and great eares like vnto a Mule, 

 with the body of a Cammell, and tayle of a Horse. The feet of the 

 Giant were foulded in the same skin after the manner of shooes. He 

 had in his hand a big and short Bowe, the String whereof was made of 

 a sinew of that Beast. He had also a Bundell of long Arrowes, made of 

 Beedes, feathered after the manner of ours, light, with sharp stones in 

 the stead of Iron heads. The Captaine caused him to eat and drinke, 

 and gave him many things ; and, among other, a great Looking-glasse : 

 In the which, as soone as he saw his own likenesse, hee was suddenly 



* 1 take the narrative as given in Purchas His Pilgrimes, vol. i., p. 34. 



