MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE TEHUELCHES 95 



ponchos from guanaco wool. Some species of earth is used for 

 dyeing the wool, bnt the resulting colours are dull. In this parti- 

 cular the Tehuelches differ from the Indians of the northern 

 pampas, whose dyeing materials are derived from herbs, and give 

 brighter tints. T\\&s,& ponchos and saddle-rugs made by the chinas 

 are much prized and sought after as curiosities, hence the makers 

 demand very high prices for them — even up to thirty or forty 

 dollars each. 



The women also spend some of their time in sewing together 

 the skins of guanaco or ostriches into rugs, using sinews for 

 thread. Rugs of this kind and bunches of ostrich feathers form 

 the staple commodities which they offer at the settlements for sale. 



The hair of the adult animal, being harsh and coarse, is of less 

 value in the market than that of the young guanaco ; therefore 

 the hunters endeavour to secure chieriy the pelts of the young 

 guanaco, some of the rugs being even made from the skin of the 

 unborn, which is cut out of the mother a i&'sn- days previous to 

 the date when they would naturally be dropped. At certain 

 seasons enormous numbers of these pelts are to be seen drying, 

 pegged out, beside the Indian toldos. 



The time of year during which the hunting of guanaco chi'cos, 

 or little ones, is carried on includes the latter half of October and 

 the month of November. 



I am afraid it must be confessed that the Tehuelches are a very 

 lazy race. Nearly everything which makes any demand upon their 

 energies — with the exception of hunting — -seems too much trouble 

 for them to do. Few individuals become even comparatively rich, 

 and even then live none the better for it. One could never guess 

 whether a man were rich or poor by his dress ; he carries no sign 

 of improved circumstances in his person or bearing. The owner 

 of two thousand beasts will come into camp and sit by your fire, 

 putting in a plea with the humblest for a cupful of tnate. Occa- 

 sionally an Indian wiU act as a guide across the empty distances 

 of the pampas. They have an excellent idea of the value of their 

 services and of the paper peso of the Argentine Republic. They 

 set a high price upon themselves — 3.vaqueano, or guide, demanding 

 five dollars a day or seventy dollars a month. 



