122 



TERRA DEL FUEGO. 



usually black, the upper eyelids in the inner corner overlapping the 

 under one, and bear a strong resemblance to those of the Chinese. 

 Their nose is broad and flat, with wide-spread nostrils, mouth large, 

 teeth white, large, and regular. The hair is long, lank, and black, 

 hanging over the face, and is covered with white ashes, which gives 

 them a hideous appearance. The whole face is compressed. Their 

 bodies are remarkable from the great developement of the chest, shoul- 

 ders, and vertebral column; their arms are long, and out of proportion; 

 their legs small and ill made. There is in fact little difference between 

 the size of the ankle and leg ; and when standing, the skin at the knee 

 hangs in a large loose fold. In some, the muscles of the leg appear 

 almost wanting, and possess very little strength. This want of de- 

 velopement in the muscles of the legs is owing to their constant sitting 

 posture, both in their huts and canoes. Their skin is sensibly colder 

 than ours. It is impossible to fancy any thing in human nature more 



NATIVE OF TERRA DEL FUEGO. 



filthy. They are an ill-shapen and ugly race.* They have little or no 

 idea of the relative value of articles, even of those that one would 

 suppose were of the utmost use to them, such as iron and glass-ware. 

 A glass bottle broken into pieces, is valued as much as a knife. Red 



* For their dimensions, see Table of Comparative Proportions, at the end of the work. 



