230 : TIERRA DEL FUEGO. [cHap. x. 
. va 
improved. At piesent, “even a piece of cloth given to one is 
torn into shreds and distributed ; and no one individual becomes 
richer than another. On,the other hand, it is difficult to under- 
stand how a chief can arise till there is property of some sort by 
_which he might manifest his superiority and increase his power. 
I believe, in this extreme part of South America, man exists 
in a lower state of improvement than in any other part of the 
world. The South Sea Islanders of the two races inhabiting 
the Pacific, are comparatively civilized. The Esquimaux, in his 
subterranean hut, enjoys some of the comforts of life, and in his 
canoe, when fully equipped, manifests much skill. Some of the 
tribes of Southern Africa, prowling about in search of roots, and 
living concealed on the wild and erid plains, are sufficiently 
wretched. The Australian, in the simplicity of the arts of life, 
comes nearest the Fuegian: he can, however, boast of his boo- 
merang, his spear and throwing-stick, his method of climbing 
trees, of tracking animals, and of hunting. Although the Aus- 
tralian may be superior in acquirements, it by no means follows 
that he is likewise superior in mental capacity: indeed, from 
what I saw of the Fuegians when on board, and from what I 
have read of the Australians, I should think the case_was exactly 
the reverse. 
