MOURNING BURIAL. 157 



or evil spirits. Some go to visit and console the widow, or 

 widows, and other relations of the dead, that is, if there is any 

 thing to be got ; for nothing is done but with a view of interest. 

 During this visit of condolence they cry, howl, and sing in the 

 most dismal manner ; straining out tears, and pricking their 

 arms and thighs with sharp thorns, to make them bleed. For 

 this shew of grief they are paid with glass beads, brass casca- 

 bels and such like baubles, which are in high estimation among 

 them. The horses of the dead are also immediately killed, 

 that he may have wherewithal to ride upon in the 'alhue 

 mapu,' or country of the dead, reserving only a few to grace 

 the last funeral pomp, and to carry the relics to their proper 

 sepulchres. 



" When they remove the bones of their dead, they pack 

 them up together in a hide, and place them upon one of the 

 deceased^s favourite horses, kept alive for that purpose, which 

 they adorn after their best fashion, with mantles, feathers, &c., 

 and travel in this manner, though it be to the distance of three 

 hundred leagues, till they arrive at the proper burial-place, 

 where they perform the last ceremony. 



" The Molu-che, Taluhet, and Diuihet, bury their dead in 

 large square pits, about a fathom deep. The bones are put 

 together, and secured by tying each in its proper place, then 

 clothed with all the best robes they can get, adorned with beads, 

 plumes, &c., all of which they cleanse or change once a year. 

 They are placed in a row, sitting, with the sword, lance, bow 

 and arrows, bowls, and whatever else the deceased had while 

 alive. These pits are covered over with trees, canes, or branches 

 woven together, upon which they put earth. An old matron 

 is chosen out of each tribe, to take care of these graves, and 

 on account of her employment is held in great veneration. 

 Her office is to open every year these dreary habitations, 

 and to clothe and clean the skeletons. Besides all this they 

 every year pour upon these graves some bowls of their first 

 made chicha, and drink some of it themselves to the good 

 health of the dead. (N. B. Not the Tehuelhet.) 



" These burying places are, in general, not far distant from 



