RIO NEGRO. 



115 



arms, which they called eu, or spirit; and kai-eu, which they frequently 

 uttered with gestures, was thought to indicate their Great Spirit, or 

 God. 



PATAGONIA NS. 



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 altogether 

 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, Yaccinium, Andromeda, Composite, 

 (some woody) Cruciferse, Umbelliferse, &c. A number of these were 



