H'
there establish the Fuegians, with Matthews:—leave them
for a time, while I continued my route westward to explore
the western arms of the channel, and part of AVhale-
hoat Sound : and at my return thence decide whether Matthews
should be left among the natives for a longer period, or
return with me to the Beagle.
But before I briefly relate this attempt to form a temporary
settlement among the Fuegians, it may he advisable to give a
general sketch of the aborigines who thinly people the southernmost
regions of South America : including not only the
various tribes of Fuegians (as far as we know them), but the
Patagonians, and those natives of Western Patagorda who
ai'e supposed to be a remnant of the tribe called Chonos.
CHAPTER VII.
SOUTHERN ABORIGINES OF SOUTH AMERICA.
Of the tribes which scantily people Patagonia and Tierra
del Fuego, far less is yet known than might generally be
expected. Although frequently seen by white men, and often
holding intercourse with them, probably no person even moderately
educated, excepting Falkner, has staid among them
long enough to become acquainted with, and describe their
peculiarities.
His description of the aboriginal natives who, in his time
(1740-80), roamed over the fertile ‘ Pampas’ of Buenos Ayres,
or the sterile plains of Patagonia; of the western mountaineers;
and of those unconquerable tribes which repulsed the Peruvian
Yncas, opposed Spanish conquerors, and are still independent,
is so decidedly corroborated by Molina, by many Spanish
authors, and by modern testimony, that in attempting to describe
the Patagonians, I shall try to unite his account (bearing
in mind the time elapsed, and consequent changes) to the
information which has been obtained during late years.
Of the Fuegians, a few notices are to be found in narratives
of various voyagers ; but the imperfect description here given
is principally derived from the natives who went to England in
the Beagle; and from Mr. Low, who has seen more of them
in their own country than any other person.
About the middle of the last century, the aboriginal inhabitants
of that portion of South America which lies between the
parallels of thirty and forty, formed two principal divisions,
more or less separated by the only real barrier existing in that
extent of country, the Cordillera of the Andes. Those who
lived eastward of the Andes were called ‘ Puel-che,’ signifying
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