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2 9 2 S l lE L t . - F I S H .
The ))ico, wliich is a barnacle, grows to a very large size ;
at Concepcion, however, it is still larger, being six or seven
inches in length. It has, when properly cooked, very much the
flavour of a crab, and by the inhabitants of this Archipelago is
considered preferable to any other shell-fish.
Before concluding this innrerfect description of the shell-fish
of Chiloe, the piure claims some consideration, if it be only for
its peculiar and disagreeable appearance. It was considered by
Molina as a genus allied to Ascidia (Mol. i. 214), none of the
varieties of which are inviting in their look, as an edible substance,
but the piure is still less so. It is thus described by
Molina : “ The piure, scarcely deserving the name of a living
animal, is as remai'kable for its figure, as for the manner in
which it is lodged. The body is about the size and shape of a
small peal-, an inch in diameter ; or it may be described as a
small, conical, fleshy bag, of a red colour, filled with saline
liquor, and provided with two trunks or processes in the
upper part, one of which is the mouth, similar to that of the
Tetias ; and between these processes are seen two small, black,
and shining points, which are supposed to be the eyes. I could
distinguish no other organs, nor any viscera in the fleshy substance
of which it is composed, which is smooth without and
spongy within. They are extremely sensitive, and when touched,
spout water out of both apertures. These small animals are
shut up in a firm, but glutinous case, of various shapes ; one
case often contains eight or ten distinct bodies, separated from
each other by cells, formed of a strong membraneous substance.
They are attached to rocks or stones, under water, excepting
when left uncovered by a low tide. The natives eat them boiled,
or roasted in their shells. They also dry them for exportation
to the province of Cusco, where their flavour is much esteemed,
and considered equal to that of the lobster."
At Chiloe, the piure is said to be a remedy for barrenness ;
and to such an extent has this idea prevailed, that a Chilote
woman, eating this fish, literally says, if asked what she is
doing, that “ she is making children.” One would not, however,
suppose, from the number of children which are seen
H E A L T H— t t l iMI c n IKS— C L IMA T E . 2 9 3
crowding round tlie doors, that the Chilotes had any necessity
for such food.
I.Í one may judge from tlie few applications made to our
medical men for advice, the climate'is either very healthy, or
the natives prefer their own mode of cure. They have very
few medical advisers, and those few are not held in much
estimation, being people of little or no education. A prejudice
against medical men has heen, even in late years, extended to
foreign practitioners, and carried to great lengths. This illiberal
feeling is, however, fast wearing away ; but, among the lower
orders, the application of herbs and other simples is yet wholly
resorted to for the removal of their complaints. One day, when
I was employed in making some astronomical observations, at
Sandy Point, a woman passed me, and forcing her way through
a thicket of thorny plants, began to gather branches of a species
of arbutus (A . rigida.), a small shrubby plant, which is
every where abundant, especially to the south, and in the Strait
of Magalhaens. My curiosity prompted me to inquire her reason
for collecting it with such apparent anxiety. She replied,
with a desponding air, “ It is chaura* for a poor, sick child.
These branches,” she said, “ are to be put into the fire, and,
being green, will produce a thick smoke, and yield a very strong
aromatic smell. The child, who is only five months old, is to
be held over it, which, as they say, is a good remedy; but,”
■she added, with an air of doubt, “ I know not (dicen que es
bueno, pero yo no sé).” “ Who says so?” I asked. “ Los que
saben (those who know),” replied the half-credulous mother,
with a deep sigh, partly doubting the eflicacy of the remedy, but
unwilling to lose the advantages of whatever virtue it might
possess, for the benefit of her sick infant.
The climate of Chiloe is considered, by those who live in
other parts of Chile, to be “ rigorous, cold, and damp.” Certainly
there is much reason for such an opinion, particiilarlv
in the winter months, when it almost always rains, and the
wind, with little cessation, blows hard, from Ñ. to N.W., and,
• Chaura. Una murta que no se come. Febres, D ie t of the Chileno
■language. I t is, hoivever, edible, and has ra th e r a pleasant flavour.
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