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How can we account for the numerous canoes stranded iu Obstruction
Sound, excepting by a supposition that the natives,
after using them in a north-westerly excursion, left them
behind at their return, as they may have left others on the
shores of Skyring Water.? These canoes were all of bark,
and rather smaller than those usually made by the southern
Fuegians.” Should this be the case, there can no longer be
any doubt of the non-existence of a direct passage between
Skyring AVater and the Smyth Channel (leading northwards
from Magalhaens Strait). Perhaps the horse Indians sometimes
stay in the neighbourhood of Obstruction Sound, and oblige
their slaves (zapallos) to build canoes and swan-traps, to fish
for them, and even make excursions for seal.
Mr. Bynoe saw many nutria among the islands of Western
Patagonia, and a great number of otters. Brant-geese, swans,
ducks, and rock-geese were also plentiful in particular places,
but not generally. Besides the wild potato, found on the
Guaianaco islands (mentioned in the first volume), Mr. Bynoe
noticed, in the Gulf of Peñas, an abundance of the plant
called ‘ pangue,’ which grows also in Chiloe, and is so much
hked by the Chilotes.
Mr. Low said that natives whom he met in the Gulf of Trinidad
relished potatoes which he gave them, and asked for
more. They pointed towards the north and used the word
‘ aquinas,’ which he recognized as being the term used for
potatoes hy the aborigines at the south of Chiloe.
A native who was on board the Adeona in one of her excursions
among the western islands of Patagonia induced Low to
take long walks in search of potatoes, which never were found ;
and afterwards, in the Mesier Channel, he persuaded him to go
about in quest of seals, until an opportunity offered for escaping
to a small party of his own tribe whom he met there. When
taxed by the crew with deceiving Mr. Low about the potatoes,
he fell into (or affected) a violent passion, and sprung at the
nearest man, grappling him in a most determined and malicious
manner.
Having now mentioned all that I know respecting the Canoe
Indians (excepting some facts related by Capt. King in vol. i.),
I will add a few words about their constant and faithful companion,
the dog : and then continue the narrative.
The dog of a Fuegian or Chonos Indian is small, active, and
wiry, like a terrier with a cross of fox. His hair is usually
rough, and dusky, or dark-coloured ; but there are many dogs
among the Fuegians almost white, or prettily spotted, some of
which have fine smooth hair. All that were examined had
the roof of their mouth black, the ears erect, large, and pointed;
the nose sharp, like that of a fox ; the tail drooping, and
rather inclined to be bushy. They are exceedingly vigilant
and faithful. Their sagacity is shown in many ways, some of
which I have already noticed ; and not least, in their providing
for themselves, each low-water, by cunningly detaching limpets
from the rocks, or by breaking muscle and other shells, and
then eating the fish.
These dogs bark at strangers with much fury : and they
give tongue eagerly when hunting the otter.*
• Byron says they do so likewise when driving fish into corners.
N o t e to page 185.—The Fuegian necklaces show some ingenuity in
those who make them, being composed of small shells, perforated very
neatly, and fastened together on strings of sinews or gut, so finely divided
and platted, that one is, at first, inclined to doubt their being the manufacture
of such uncouth savages.
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