UHAP, IX.] ART IN MAKING A FIRE. 198 
not a dry i to sit down on after our day’s ride. I have in 
another par’ "eektea! how singular it is that there should be abso- 
lutely no trees on these islands, although Tierra del Fuego is 
covered by one large forest. The largest bush in the island 
(belonging to the family of Compositz) is scarcely so tall as our, 
gorse. The best fuel is afforded by a green little bush about 
the size of common heath, which has the useful property of 
burning while fresh and green. It was very surprising to see 
the Gauchos, in the midst of rain and everything soaking wet, 
with nothing more than a tinder-box and piece of rag, immedi- 
ately make a fire. They sought beneath the tufts of grass and 
bushes for a few dry twigs, and these they rubbed into fibres; 
then surrounding them with coarser twigs, something like a 
bird’s nest, they put the rag with its spark of fire in the middle 
and covered it up. The nest being then held up to the wind, by 
degrees it smoked more and more, and at last burst out in flames. 
Ido not think any other method would have had a chance of 
succeeding with such damp materials, 
19¢h.—Each morning, from not having ridden for some time 
previously, I was very stiff. Iwas surprised to hear the Gauchos, 
who have from infancy almost lived on horseback, say that, 
under similar circumstances, they always suffer. St. Jago told 
me, that having been confined for three months by illness, he 
went out hunting wild cattle, and in consequence, for the next 
two days, his thighs were so stiff that he was obliged to lie in 
bed. This shows that the Gauchos, although they do net appear 
to do so, yet really must exert much muscular effort in riding. 
The hunting wild-cattle, in a country so difficult to pass as this 
is on account of the swampy ground, must be very hard work. 
The Gauchos say they often pass at full speed over ground which 
would be impassable at a slower pace; in the same manner as a 
man is able to skate over thin ice. When hunting, the party 
endeavours to get as close as possible to the herd without being 
discovered. Each man carries four or five pair of the bolas; 
these he throws one after the other at as many cattle, which, 
when once entangled, are left for some days, till they become a 
little exhausted by hunger and struggling. They are then let 
free and driven towards a small herd of tame animals, which 
have been brought to the spot on purpose. From their previous 
