118 
RIO NEGRO. 
pointed in that direction. They seemed to have a knowledge of fire- 
arms, which they called eu, or spirit; and Tcai-eu, which they fre- 
quently uttered with gestures, was thought to indicate their Great 
Spirit, or God. 
v.V 
PATAGONIA VS. 
They had little apparent curiosity, and nothing seemed to attract 
or cause them surprise ; their principal characteristic seemed to be 
jealousy. Though they are a simple race, they are not wanting in 
cunning ; and it was with great difficulty that they could be prevailed 
upon to part with their bows and arrows in trade, which they however 
did, after asking permission from their chief; this was always neces- 
sary for them to obtain before closing a bargain. They have had 
communication frequently before with Europeans; pieces of many 
articles of European manufacture were seen in their possession, such 
as glass-beads, &c. They refused tobacco, whiskey, bread, or meat, 
and were only desirous of getting old iron, nails, and pieces of hoop- 
iron. 
Their food consists principally of fish and shell-fish. Their fishing 
apparatus is made of the dorsal fin of a fish, tied to a thin slip of 
whalebone, in the form of a barb ; this serves as a good hook, and 
with it they obtain a supply of this food. Their arms consisted alto- 
gether of bows and arrows. The natives had the common dog, which 
they seemed to prize much. 
Mr. Rich employed his time in botanical researches ; the prominent 
plants were Berberes, Winteria, Vaccinium, Andromeda, Composite, 
