’riie wigwams of tlu: Alikhooli[), and indeed of all the
Fuegians, except tlie Tekeenica (and perhaps some of the
Yacana, whom wc have not seen), are shaped like hec-hivcs.
'I'heir luiight is not ahovc fimr or five feet above the ground ;
hut an excavation is usually made within, which gdves another
foot, making about five feet and a-half of height, inside,
and they are two, three, or four yards in diameter. Branches
of trees stuck in the ground, bent together towards the top,
form the structure, upon which skins, pieces of hark, and
hunches of coarse grass arc roughly fastened. Of course,
neither these nor the Tekeenica wigwams are wind or water
tight, neither does the smoke need a chimney.
The country and climate of the Alikhoolip are similar to
the Tekeenica, though wetter, more windy, and more disagreeable.
Both men and women are better covered with seal
or otter skins than the Tekeenica and Pecheray tribes. When
surprised, or sure that they would not be plundered, the women
of this tribe were always seen wrapped in large otter or seal
skins.
The natives of the central parts of Magalhaens Strait appear
to be almost as miserable a race as the Tekeenica. As in nothing
hut language, and the construction of their wigwams, is there
any difference which has yet been found out (though probably
existing), I shall say no more of them in this place.
Their climate is nearly the same as that of the Alikhoolip;
and the country is similar, though more wooded in many
places, because more sheltered.
Those whom I have hitherto called Huemul, who live near
the Otway and Skyring Waters, seem to be a mixed breed,
rather resembling the Yacana, of which tribe they are probably
a branch. Inhabits, as well as in appearance, they partake of
some of the peculiarities of Patagonians as well as Fuegians.
Their country is like the Yacana—Tierra del Fuego blending
or sinking into Patagonia, sharing the qualities of each region,
and therefore preferable to either. They have very few canoes;
and no horses: but large dogs are used by them in hunting
the huemul and guanaco.