The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-23

Tiers, monkeys. parrots. macags, and
other interesting birds and beasts. Inc
trees are largely of the most precious
woods-particuiariy those which will not
float in water. such as the black palm,
ironwood and cocoboio. Through this re-
gion flows the Iguassu river. falling In
cataract which surpasses Niagara IN mag
nificence. In the neighborhood OF this
waterfall no human dwellings are 10 De
found, because the natives believe that the
demon of the stream occupies the spot.
In western Patagonia, among the Cor
dilleras mountains, dwell the giants OF
whom so many big stories have been told
As matter OF fact these AraucanIans, as
they are called, are rarely under SIX feet IN
height and sometimes reach eignt ieet,
seven-foot men being not infrequent.
Though mildly disposed, they admit no
strangers TO their territory and by stub
born resistance have compelled chile 70
Iet them alone Fabulous treasures OF
gold and silver are believed 10 be stored
away In their mountains, but prospectors
who have ventured thIther have always
been driven away. They commonly acorn
themselves with rich and heavy orna-
ments of these precious metals. The
greater part of Patagonia belongs
now TO the Argentine Republic,
Chile holding By treaty the strip along the
Pacific coast which continues IL shoe
string-iike territory for nearly naII the
length of South America. Most OF the
country Is desert waste, cold OF climate
and contrasting strongly vita the richly
productive parnpas or plains Of the South
ern Argentine. These pampas are remark
able for the strange Illusions Wnich Deset
the eve of the traveller who journeys over
them. On any bright day q distant thistle
field is as like as not 70 De transformer
seemingly into forest, while few clumps
of grass will take on the appearance OF
troop of horsemen Mirages are constant
ly in view. frequently offering delusive
prospect OF water, bv which men are often
deceived, but their horses never.
Ifthere is one characteristic which gen.
eraiIy Distinguishes these aboFigines of the
neither continent, it is their nakedness.
In the forests of the upper Amazon one
finds the tribes, both men and women
hahituaily wearing no other costume than
that In which they we're born. Not even
the breeeh-clout or apron is considered
necessary. Even in frigid TERRA del
Fuego, as has been said, nudity IS
the fashion The human animal among
these people is reduced as nearly as pos
sible 10 a level with the brute. beng dis
tinguished from the brute by absolutely
nothing save the power of language. As
soon as the young are weaned they are
permitted 10 take care OF themselves, and,
at once taking to the chase, which is the
sole pursuit of their elders, they get a
living by hunting for the young OF the
vieuna and guanaco and for ostrich eggs.
However, there Is one very notable ex-
ception to this rule OF nakedness found
among the natives Of Venezuela and
Guiana, who are beyond comparison the
most beautifully dressed people, civilized
or otherwise, IN the world. They wear
complete robes of gorgeous parrot fea-
theirs, head-dresses of other brilliant
plumes, and necklaces made of thousands
of lovely beetles wings strung together,
which adorn very effectively their tawny
Threats. Not only do they obtain the ma
terlal for such garments by hunting, but
they keep and raise parrots and many
kinds of wild birds for this same purpose,
plucking them regularly once year.
RENE BACHE