^78 



SCHOOLS LANGUAGE PllODUCE. 



the governinent has made several attempts to improve the con- 

 dition of the inhabitants; among which, the instruction of public 

 schools, was not the least important. From an official report 

 there appear to be ninety schools, in which 3,840 children 

 receive an education, according to the abilities of the masters, 

 who are employed ; but these, from the small salary attached 

 to the situation, cannot be expected to be superior. 



The language in common use, is Spanish ; the original 

 Indian tongue being almost forgotten : but it is supposed to 

 be the same as that spoken by the Indians of Madre de Dios ; 

 for, on a late occasion, a whaler which had been upon the coast 

 of those islands, and had taken on board an Indian, as a pilot, 

 called at Castro ; and during her visit, the Indian communi- 

 cated with those who understood the language of the Chonos, 

 and by them was tolerably well understood. This Indian has 

 been frequently embarked on board American or English 

 sealers, which frequent those coasts, to serve as a pilot to the 

 seal-rookeries.* He is known by the name of Dan. 



The products of the island, for the year 1828, according to 

 the census, and returns, officially made, were — 



Wheat. . 64,935 fanegas (175 lbs. in a fanega) about 200,000 bushels. 

 Barley.. 21,645. 

 Potatoes 194,805. 



and the muster of stock, and apple-trees, as follows : — 



Horned cattle 5,41 1 head. 



Sheep 86,580 



Swine 21,645 



Apple trees 75,7^4 



The manufactures of the province are Carro, a coarse woollen 

 cloth, two and a half, or three yards long, and three quarters 

 of a yard wide, used for men's garments, and of very durable 

 quality. 



Ponchos — ^both these and the carro are manufactured by 

 women, in a rude sort of loom, of wool dyed of various colours 

 from plants that are found in the island, or imported for the 



* Places where seal congregate— so called always by the sealers. 



