to the Strait of Magellan, 



75 



parts of America, and those in the districts of Carthagena and 

 the river Orinoco [notOronoco], botli in the size and the colour 

 of the skin, as also in the smell of its urine, which is still more 

 abominable than even that of the zorillo of Magellan. 



We have but little to observe concerning the horse, of which 

 the Patagonians make such constant use, as it is well known 

 that the original Americans were totally unacquainted with that 

 noble animal, and his usefulness in the purposes of civilized 

 life, until they had experienced the advantages derived from 

 them by the Europeans, who first transported them to this part 

 of the globe; by that means greatly facilitating their conquest of 

 America. 



The perfect similarity proves manifestly that the Patagonians 

 have drawn, and still continue to receive, such horses as they 

 now possess in so great numbers, from the immense plains or 

 pampas of Buenos Ayres, where these animals have increased 

 to a degree almost beyond conception or belief. 



The author (Waiter) of the Voyage of Commodore Anson 

 round the World, asserts, that the natives of these parts prefer 

 the flesh of horses for food to that of any other animal ; 

 but, although we took a great deal of pains to discover the 

 truth of this assertion, \ve never were able to learn whether 

 the Patagonians do really follow that practice: on the con- 

 trary, we are inclined to think that it is at best extremely 

 doubtful. 



Such faithful companions of these natives are their dogs, 

 that they are very seldom seen without a vast crowd of them. 

 Their race resembles that which at Buenos Ayres is called cimar- 

 rones, (wild, untamed, also spotted or speckled,) and from 

 whence, most probably, they originally received them, whi- 

 ther they were first carried by the Europeans; since it is cer- 

 tain, what ii? related by the histories of America, and which is 

 confirmed by Cook, in his first voyage to the South Seas, that 

 the indigenous animals of the canine race, in that country, ne- 

 ver bark ; whereas, those which accompanied the Patagonians 

 gave unt juivocal proofs, and that even ^t a great distance, of 

 their being descended from ancestors natives of the Old Con- 

 tinent. 



As the low parts of this strait are entirely destitute of trees, 

 it is not surprising that few birds should be met with; we shall 

 therefore omit the aquatic fowl, which are common to both 

 parts of the strait, and observe, that we only saw some of those 

 large birds of this continent, which, from their general resem- 

 blance to the ostrich, have been distinguished by the same name; 

 but which, when carefully examined, are found to be essentia 



Voyages and Travels, No, 5, FoL II. l 



