150 FOOD — CHASE. 



of the men, and additional clothes, are worn when they ride 

 distances ; sitting astride, upon a heap of skins, which serve 

 at nio-ht for beddino^. 



The principal subsistence of these Indians is the flesh of 

 mares, ostriches, cavies, or guanacoes ; but though they are 

 not particular, and eat almost anything that they catch, the 

 flesh of young mares is preferred to any otlier. They broil their 

 meat, and eat it with a lump of fat, and salt. The fat of mares 

 and that of ostriches are boiled together and put into bladders ; 

 but the fat of guanacoes is eaten raw, being preferred in that 

 state. There are two roots which they eat, one called tus, the 

 other chalas. The tus is a bulbous root, growing wild, which 

 when cleaned and baked, or rather roasted, becomes mealy, 

 like a yam. They use it sometimes with their meat, but not 

 often. The chalas is a long, white root, about the size of a 

 goose-quill. It is either roasted in the embers or put into 

 broth, which they make for women and sick people. When 

 on the sea-coast, limpets and muscles are gathered by the 

 women and children ; but fish or seals are seldom obtained. 

 Dogs are not eaten, neither are horses, unless disabled by an 

 accident. 



Cattle are yet scarce in the southern regions, because pasture- 

 land is rather deficient ; but about the lately-discovered river, 

 Chupat, (lat. 43.21. S.) which, though small, is supposed to 

 cross the continent, they are rather numerous, but their flesh 

 is not thought equal to that of mares. 



The only prepared drink which they use, besides the decoc- 

 tion of chalas, is the juice of barberries, mixed with water, and 

 drank in its natural state. They have no fermented liquor. 



Hunting is both amusing and necessary to the men. They 

 go out to the chase in parties, more or less numerous, accord- 

 ing to the strength of the tribe, the scarcity of food, and the 

 supply of horses. An extent of country is enclosed by the 

 horsemen ; then drawing together, they drive before them all 

 the animals ; till, when tolerably collected together, the cacique, 

 or leading man of the party rides at an animal and throws it 

 down with his balls. All then set to work, and ball away in 

 every direction. They do not stop because one animal falls. 



