— 175 
fruits ; and at another village their welcoming presen t consisted of 
some sweet biscuits that liad been purchased at a neighbouring shop ! 
From the Indian standpoint the Choroti are sadly lacking in eti- 
quette. Knowing by long experience the rules of native society I 
endeavour to strictly adhere to them when travelling aniong Indians. 
In some cases there was a feeble response on the arrival of our little 
party, but for the most part there seemed to be a want of that delicate 
courtesy characteristic of the interior peoples. At the village of 
Atamó, which is very largely intermingled with Suliin, a stricter code 
is observed, and when we halted waiting for the formal invitation to 
be seated, some of the brighter spirits, but more especially an oíd 
“ mother,” rose to the occasion, and showed that though in abeyance, 
the old-fashioned etiquette of her people existed in all its simple charm. 
During the few days of our stay she continued to treat us as welcome 
guests by many minor attentions. A gift of tobáceo is very acceptable 
among the various tribes, but among the Choroti salt is held in high 
esteem owing to its scarcity. I did not observe the saladillo or salt plant 
in the vicinity, wliich exists and is largely used in the interior among 
the Suhin, who manufacture it with a rough mixture of ashes com- 
pounded with those of the plant itself. 
Whatever they may Inave been in the past, the Choroti are not 
now a hunting people, and indeed it would be diflicult for them to be, 
for the country itself is singularly bereft of game. Of bird life we saw 
little, an occasional deer, ostrich or fox was sighted, and the foot- 
prints of the tapir were here and there apparent, but during our wan- 
derings there were few indications of animal life. The most pronounced 
and most objectionable sign of life observed were the holes made by 
the burrowing animáis, oftcn a source of risk to life and limb. 
V 
The few sheep kept by the people supply them with a little wool for 
spinning, a commodity that can now be purchased at one or other of 
the camp stores. The art of weaving is known and practised but con- 
fined chiefly to the manufacture of belts, head-bands and tassels for 
their beads and necklaces, but now and again a blanket is made. 
String is prepared from the fibre of a bromelia and netted into 
fishing nets, the large bags for carrying the household utensils and for 
gathering fruit, the small scrips worn by the men, and also sleeveless 
shirts. Lilce all Indians they aro expert in making string-puzzles or 
cat’s eradles for the amusement of tho young. 
