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Cordovans Voyage qf Discovery 



stakes in certain parts of the shore, forming a kind of fish-weir ; 

 we are not' sure, however, that by this method they catch the 

 fish. They also take along witii them, in their canoes, several 

 long sharp-pointed stakes or poles, with which we imagined 

 they struck and killed their prey, having on the end a sort 

 of bait, tied on with a piece of cord.- It was impossible to 

 make them comprehend that we wished to learn their mode 

 of fishing; neither did we ever happen to witness their contri- 

 vances and management for that purpose. 



We imagine that, when these Indians pass over from the con- 

 tinent to the Tierra del Fuego, their chief object is the catching 

 of tunnies, seals, and whales, which seldom visit the northern 

 shores of the strait. They eat raw the flesh of these most 

 indigestible animals, even when putrid and stinking, and of the 

 fat make a sort of oil, Avith which they continually anoint them- 

 selves; on which account, it is easy to be sensible of their ap- 

 proach a long way off, as their smell is insupportable. 



They also eat, and for that purpose keep in their huts and 

 canoes baskets filled with, wild fruits. When they saw our 

 men eating wild parsley, they pointed out to them several other 

 plants and roots on which they feed, roasting them like po- 

 tatoes. Of all the things presented to them on-board, fat and 

 suet, or tallow alone, seemed really to please their palate : 

 they rejected bread, oil, and vinegar, and never could be in- 

 duced to taste wine. 



Their dogs also live on shell and other fish, and herbs, which 

 proves that the change of climate, and the necessity of obtain- 

 ing some kind of food, has entirely altered the appetite of these 

 animals; they however with their appetites have not changed, 

 their proper good qualities, and are still the most faithful 

 guardians of their masters. 



The habitations of these Indians consist in some miserable huts 

 of a round form, composed of branches of trees, with the thick 

 end fastened in the ground, and the small one upwards and in- 

 clining over the middle of the hut, connected together with 

 ropes made of rushes or grass. The circumference of their 

 largest huts is not above eight yards, and the height two. 

 The only opening or door is low, and in width about the 

 eighth part of the circumference. When they reside in their 

 huts, they cover them all round with seal-skins, just as they 

 come off the animal, for they know not how to dress them 

 for any purpose, leaving uncovered the middle of the up- 

 per part, to let out the smoke of the fire they constantly 

 keep up, and which is placed in the centre of the hut, 

 round which they place boards or benches covered with straw 



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