12 THE POPULAR SOIENCE MONTHLY 
the Yahgans of the Cape Horn region and the more southern parts of 
the archipelago, and the Alaculofs of the western channels, who lke 
the Yahgans, are canoe Indians. All are disappearing in the face of 
the long, irregular warfare maintained between themselves and the white 
race. In half a century they have diminished from perhaps forty or 
fifty thousand to certainly less than one thousand. It is to be regretted 
that the canoe Indians have not been the subject of more study by 
ethnologists, as they probably are the least known of wild tribes, and 
the lowest in the scale of intelligence and development. 
In the vicinity of Punta Arenas, which marks about the first third 
of the westward journey through the straits, the general aspect of the 
country undergoes a change. Hills and patches of forest appear. 
The climate also changes appreciably, the western part of the region 
being much more stormy and rainy. From this neighborhood may be 
seen to the southward on clear days the white summit of Mt. Sar- 
miento, nearly one hundred miles away. It is 7,000 feet in elevation 
—the highest peak in Tierra del Fuego—and its summit is as yet un- 
trodden by man. Sir Martin Conway succeeded in reaching a height 
of only 4,000 feet when his party was driven back by appalling storms 
of sleet. 
The resemblances to northern species which were noticeable among 
many of the birds, were traceable among the wild flowers. There were 
dandelions, buttercups, ground orchids, anemones, yellow violets, 
geraniums, gentians, yellow star-grass, primroses and marigolds, and 
probably hosts of others not observed because not in bloom. Many of 
those met with are unfortunately not namable except in botanical 
terms. Growing close to the ground and very striking was a large 
pink flower® of great beauty common along the western shores. ‘There 
were ferns of many kinds. A barberry shrub® was found everywhere, 
and a fine currant bush?® was often seen. Our greatest surprise was at 
the size and beauty of the Fuchsia, which forms thickets ten or 
twelve feet high and bears a wonderful abundance of flowers much 
frequented by humming birds. 
The contradictions presented by nature were remarkable: with 
cold rain storms blowing over the mountains and beating fiercely down 
into the channels, chilly mists and lowering skies perhaps most of the 
time, we must yet believe it summer where, at the same time, hum- 
ming birds, parrots and flamingoes, beautiful flowers and ripe berries 
are to be found. The line of perpetual snow is only 2,000 or 3,000 
feet above tide water, while the mean summer temperature is about 
50 degrees. 
However mild and bright occasional days might be, the forests 
were always damp to the point of saturation. The excessive moisture 
8 Philesia buaxifolia. 
° BPmpetrum. 
” Ribes magellanicum. 
