166 THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



small, black, and widely separated from each other, and though 

 he did not squint, their axes seemed to incline very much to- 

 wards each other. Add high check bones and a regular turn 

 to the figure, and you may form some idea of a Bolivian — at least 

 such is the general appearance of those I have met. There is, 

 however, nothing fierce about them ; but on the contrary, there 

 is a pleasant, good humored convivial expression which speaks 

 in their favor. This worthy fisherman was resting on one knee 

 beside his half flaccid balsa, with a small tube of intestine, 

 which is attached to its end, in his mouth, blowing and pufiing, 

 and occasionally tapping the vessel to ascertain how the infla- 

 tion proceeded. At length he finished, and twisted the tube 

 round the nozzle which attached it to the balsa. The balsa 

 used here is similar to that of Coquimbo, but larger, and deck- 

 ed over between the two bags of wind by a dry ox hide or seal 

 skin. On this they carry freight or passengers perfectly dry. 

 To prevent the water from penetrating, the balsa is coated over 

 with a pigment resembling new tanned leather in color. An- 

 other fisherman drew his balsa ashore, and threw three fine 

 large fish upon the sand, which he had caught amongst the 

 rocks ofi" the point, with a harpoon. He told us that was the 

 only way of taking them. 



The bay affords a variety of excellent fish, and the rocks 

 are full of shell fish, much esteemed by the natives, but not 

 eaten by foreigners. Amongst them are a variety of limpets 

 of a large size, as well as many smaller shells. Our stay here, 

 however, did not afford us time to collect any except a few 

 dead ones ; — but I am inclined to think, that an amateur would 

 be rewarded by a few days' labor at this place. 



We walked towards the governor's house, which fronts the 

 landing, and turning to the left, found ourselves in the main 

 and only street of Cobija. It is perhaps a quarter of a mile 

 long, but not closely built. The houses are all one story high, 

 and constructed of wood and of adobes in the simplest style, 

 and very few of them have patios. The plastering is mixed 

 with salt water, and very soon blisters and peels off*, from the 

 effects of the sun, and therefore a constant repair is necessary. 

 Wood, all of which is brought from Chiloe and Concepcion, is 



