178 NATURAL HISTOKY OF 



low lobes. The two following years I found it everywhere 

 abundant, from Playa Parda to the western entrance of the 

 Strait, and from the southern extremity of Smyth's Channel 

 to the Gulf of Pefias. It has also been obtained in Staten 

 Land, and is probably common in the wooded region of the 

 south of Puegia ; while on the chain of the Andes it ap- 

 pears to extend as far north as Peru. Several other species 

 of the genus, regarding the true affinities of which a con- 

 siderable amount of difference of opinion has prevailed 

 among botanists, have been described — all, I believe, from the 

 western side of South America, and possibly modified forms 

 of a single stock. 



The following morning we bid good-bye to the "Zealous," 

 whose ship's company treated us to a parting cheer as she 

 started to pursue her westerly course, in the hope of clearing 

 the Strait before the evening, while we returned on our track 

 to the eastward. Soon after entering English Eeach, we 

 saw several Fuegian canoes, and accordingly halted for a few 

 minutes to allow one of them to come alongside. In her 

 were three men, who shouted and screamed, much after the 

 fashion of sea-birds, as they approached us, at the same time 

 waving their sealskin cloaks above their heads. On coming 

 close to the ship they vociferated " Eope, rope, yammers- 

 chooner," and then kept up a perpetual yell of " tabaca, 

 tabaca," accompanied with a variety of gesticulations. Though 

 better off in respect of garments than the inhabitants of 

 another canoe previously seen by us, the greater number 

 of whom were entirely naked, they appeared very insuffi- 

 ciently clothed considering the severity of the weather, the 

 snow this day extending half-way down the hills — their 

 sole attire consisting of the above-mentioned cloaks, which 

 only covered their backs and shoulders. They had, however. 



