Dec. 1832. 



IN FI ABIT ANTS. 



235 



canoe with six Fuegians. These were the most abject and 

 miserable creatures I any where beheld.* On the east coast 

 the natives^ as we have seen^ have guanaco cloaks^ and on the 

 west^ they possess seal-skins. Amongst these central tribes 

 the men generally possess an otter-skin^ or some small scrap 

 about as large as a pocket-handkerchief, which is barely suf- 

 ficient to cover their backs as low down as their loins. It is 

 laced across the breast by strings^ and according as the wind 

 blows^ it is shifted from side to side. But these Fuegians 

 in the canoe were quite naked^ and even one full-grown 

 woman was absolutely so. It was raining heavily^ and 

 the fresh water^ together with the spray^ trickled down her 

 body. In another harbour not far distant^ a woman^ who 

 was suckling a recently-born child^ came one day alongside 

 the vessel^ and remained there whilst the sleet fell and 

 thawed on her naked bosom^ and on the skin of her naked 

 child. These poor wretches were stunted in their growth, 

 their hideous faces bedaubed with white painty their skins 

 filthy and greasy^ their hair entangled^ their voices discord- 

 ant^ their gestures violent and without dignity. Viewing 

 such men^ one can hardly make oneself believe they are 

 fellow-creatures^ and inhabitants of the same world. It is a 

 common subject of conjecture what pleasure in life some of 

 the less gifted animals can enjoy : how much more reason- 



* I believe, in this extreme part of South America, man exists in a 

 lower state of improvement than in any other part of the world. The 

 South Sea islander of either race is comparatively civilized. The Esqui- 

 maux, in his subterranean hut, enjoys some of the comforts of life, and in 

 his canoe, when fully equipped, manifests much skill. Some of the tribes 

 of Southern Africa, prowling about in search of roots, and living con- 

 cealed on the wild and arid plains, are sufficiently wretched. But the 

 Australian, in the simplicity of the arts of Hfe, comes nearest the Fuegian. 

 He can, however, boast of his boomerang, his spear and throwing-stick, 

 his method of climbing trees, tracking animals, and scheme of hunting. 

 Although thus superior in acquirements, it by no means follows that he 

 should hkewise be so in capabilities. Indeed, from what we saw of the 

 Fuegians, who were taken to England, I should think the case was the 

 reverse. 



