185 



These islanders generally possess a quickness of 

 capacity, and very readily learn whatever is taught 

 them. They have a genius for the mechanical arts, 

 and excel in carpentery, cabinet making and turnery, 

 from the frequent occasions which they have to ex- 

 ercise them, all their churches and houses being 

 built of wood. They are very good manufacturers 

 of linen and woollen, with which they mix the fea- 

 thers of sea-birds, and form beautiful coverings for 

 their beds. They make also ponchos, or cloaks of 

 various kinds, striped or embroidered with silk or 

 thread. From their swine, which are very nume. 

 rous, they make excellent hams, the most esteemed 

 of any in South America. 



Notwithstanding the great quantity of timber an- 

 nually taken from them, these islands are covered 

 with thick woods ; and as it rains there almost 

 incessantly, the cultivated grounds continue wet the 

 whole year. From hençe it follows that the in- 

 habitants, although tjîey haVe cattle, make no use 

 of them for plougíiing,*' but till the earth in a very 

 singular manner. About three months before sow- 

 ing time they turn their sheep upon their lands, 

 changing their situation every three oi^ four nights. 

 When the field is sufficiently manured in this man- 

 ner they strew the grain over it. One of their strong- 

 est men then attempts to harrow it by means of a 

 machine formed of two large sticks of hard wood 

 made sharp and fastened together, which he forces 

 into the ground with his breast, and thus covers the 

 seed. Notwithstanding this imperfect tillage, a crop 

 of wheat will yield them ten or twelve for one. 



Vol. TI. A a 



