120 INDIAN CATAMARANS AND BALZAS. [1823 



in four fathoms of water, at the head of a small bay, on the north part 

 of the island. At 8, A. M., sent the boats in search of seals. 



This island is in latitude 6° 34' S., long. 80° 45' W., variation 8° 

 45' easterly. On the north side is a safe and convenient harbour, 

 formed by an island of considerable length on the west, separated by 

 a very narrow passage, suitable only for boats. The south end of this 

 small island forms the south and west parts of the harbour. This is a 

 delightful bay, with smooth water, level beach, and pleasant prospects. 

 An abundance of eggs can be obtained here in the month of Decem- 

 ber, from the rookeries of aquatic birds. Lobos de Terra is much 

 longer than the southern or outer Lobos ; its surface is not so much 

 elevated, but more even and level. There are not so many rocks and 

 islets around it, and it is more free from dangers. Fur and hair-seals 

 are found here in considerable numbers ; and a variety of scale-fish 

 may be caught with hook and line. It lies seven leagues from the 

 mainland, from whence it may always be seen in clear weather. 



The Indians from the continent visit these islands every year, for the 

 purpose of sealing and fishing, and gathering eggs, which they sell on 

 the main. They come hither on a kind of raft, well known on this 

 coast by the term catamaran. This craft is composed of a number of 

 large logs of a light and buoyant nature, lashed together with cordage 

 made of a certain species of grass. They are generally from twenty 

 to twenty-five feet in length, and sometimes even fifty feet. In the 

 middle there is raised a kind of box, three or four feet in height, for the 

 better security of the mast, which is stepped in the centre bottom log. 

 They have likewise a short bowsprit rigged out forward, to which the 

 tack of the sail is fastened. The latter is nearly square, and bent to 

 a yard, by which it is hoisted to the mast, the halliards being bent on 

 to the yard about one-third of the distance from the forward end ; the 

 other end, abaft the mast, being always the longest and the most 

 elevated. The tack of the sail is then hauled down to the extremity 

 of the bowsprit ; and the after-leach, or sheet, is hauled aft, in the 

 same manner as a ship's main-sheet. These catamarans are steered 

 with large wide-loomed oars, which are shipped on the after end of 

 the logs, about tv/o feet high. They will beat to windward like a pilot 

 boat, and I have seen them fifty miles from land. This is the only way 

 the Indians transport their produce to market at the different towns 

 along the coast. 



They have likewise an ingeniously constructed machine, somewhat 

 similar to the life-buoy, which the Spaniards call balzas ; made of 

 skins sewed together, and filled with air. Two of these wind-bags 

 are lashed together, and a small board placed across them in the centre, 

 on which they sit to paddle. Embarked on these air-bubbles, they will 

 pass through a very heavy surf with the greatest ease and safety. 

 They are principally used in fishing along the coast. 



The Indians sometimes visit these islands in large parties, on fishing 

 excursions or frolics ; and frequently stay three or four weeks. I have 

 always found them to be very civil and accommodating ; having fre- 

 quently received kind offices at their hands, such as presents of fruit, 

 vegetables, &c. from the main. They always bring their fresh water 



