ETHNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT DAY. 273 



latitude, upon the arid and cold soil of Patagonia, extend across the north- 

 western pampas, and along the temperate, hot, and in part shaded plains of 

 the River Gran Chaco, as far as the first hills of the province of Chiquitos, 

 in 19° south latitude. 



In general, these nations are brownish, olive-colored, or chestnut-brown ; 

 their medium size is five feet, two or three inches ; their forms, however, are 

 herculean ; the forehead is arched, the face broad and flat, the nose broad 

 and depressed, with wide, open nostrils ; the mouth, at the same time, very 

 large ; the lips thick, very projecting ; the eyes horizontal, yet sometimes 

 contracted at the outer corner ; the eye-bones projecting ; the features 

 manly and expressive, but cold, and frequently fierce. In almost every 

 instance they are roving, martial, and often cruel tribes. We divide them 

 into the following nations : 



1. The Patagonians (Tehuelches) . They inhabit the southernmost part of 

 America, from 40° south latitude to the southern extremity of this division 

 of the world : a rough, barren country, in the southern half of which the 

 weather is even more constantly and penetratingly cold than is the case in 

 the most frigid regions of the north. But little is known of them ; and that 

 little — at least what has been mentioned of their extraordinary bodily size — 

 appears to be undeserving of full belief. For centuries the Patagonians 

 were the more important objects of curiosity, the more fabulous the notices 

 of them given us by travellers. The first circumnavigators of the globe 

 described them as true giants, of nine, indeed even twelve feet in height, 

 colossally formed. Other travellers, on the contrary, asserted that they 

 were persons of the usual size ; indeed, even small. The Patagonians call 

 themselves Tehulhets, and by the Spaniards have been denominated 

 Sierranes (Mountaineers) . They are likewise split into numerous tribes. 

 By recent travellers they are described as persons of from five feet six to 

 ten inches (Paris measure) in height, and with their vigorous, broad-shoul- 

 dered frame, the size of the head, and the thickness of their limbs, of course 

 appear still larger. They are strong and corpulent, of dense muscle and firm 

 flesh. At the same time, their figures are not disagreeable. Their face is' 

 round; the eyes are sparkling; the teeth very white. Their long black hair 

 is worn fastened firmly upon the crown. Some men wear long, but thin 

 mustachios. Their complexion is copper-brown. In point of size, the 

 women bear a proportion to the men. Their complexion, however, is 

 lighter. The attire of the men consists of a sleeveless coat, made of the 

 skins of animals, thrown over the body, and bound around the waist by 

 means of a girdle. A broad piece of leather is worn also around the middle 

 of the body. Horse-hide boots cover the feet. They paint the face and 

 body with bright colored lines, and ornament themselves besides with rings, 

 bracelets, and strings of imitation coral beads. The dress of the women is 

 much the same. In general, the Patagonians are described as good-natured. 

 Their principal weapon is the ball-sling, which consists of two round stones 

 connected by thongs, and inclosed by the latter in a net- like manner; but 

 lances, bows, and clubs are also used by them. They are a wandering nation 

 of hunters ; pay no attention to agriculture, and live upon the flesh of wild 



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