The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-03-13
SLEEP IN SNOW.
The Extraordinary Men Of Terra
del Fuego
Occupy the Lowest Rank in the
Scale OF Civilization.

AAAAuAa AHAN 20 FAHNAa HHuHu SKIN Ah
so thick that they 90 naked in the
coolest weather The discovery Of
these people is not altogether sur
prise, for their existence has been
limited at more than once by scientific
men. In a paper lately written by
Herbert Spencer he refers 10 them as
people ''who, in their wretchod
islands 90 almost naked while the fall
ing snow melts on their bodies"
TERRA del Fuego is an intricate
medley Of islands situated just of the
southern point OF South America, and
is separated from the mainland CPata-
gonia) by the Straits Of Magellan.
The islands present an appearance Of
barrenness, the scenery being rocky
and desolate. They are named TERRA
del Fuego, Gland of fire." from the
circumstance that they are Of volcanic
origin.
The highest mountains are from
5000 to 1000 feet above sea level,
and are covered with snow. The
climate is probably tho worst on the
face Of the earth. At this point the
waters OF the Atlantic and Pacific
meet and dispute the right OF way,
and their strife is accompanied by
terrific tompests Violent rains and
snow storms occur at every season Of
the year.
The only plant on these islands that
can be eaten are the wild celery and
spoonwort, and the natives are forced
to subsist on shellfsh, which are found
in great abundance. The only quad
ruped kept in a domestic state by the
inhabitants is the dog, which, in ex-
treme cases, serves them as an article
of food.
The descriptions that have been
given of the natives by different
travellers vary. They are generally
described as short, ugly, beardless
race, with long black hair of a rusty
iron color, and occupying the lowest
rank in the scale of civilization. 40
cording to Captain w. Parker Snow,
however, who made a visit to the
island and studied the habits Of the
natives, they are robust looking, power
full and of middle height.
The Patagonians on the islands nre
known as Onas. Their numbers are
estimated at 1900. Two other races
are known, the Yaghans, of the
south, and the Alcalufs of West
Fuego. The Alcalufs are thought to
have come over from the mainland.
1t is among the Yaghans, who dwell
in the more rugged and exposed parts
Of the island, that the strange tribe OF
''iron men" have been found. These
are the true aborigines of the Archi-
pelago. 1t must have taken ages to
turn their skin into a covering of bark
capable of resisting the fearful attacks
of an abominable climate. They are
probably the direct descendants of q
primitive race, by which the islands
have been occupied from a vastly re-
mote period.
These curious people ar about five
feet in height. Their appearance il
described as follows: Low brow, large
lips, fiat nose; loose, wrinkled skin
black, restless eyes, very wide apart
unkempt hair, and head and chest dis
portionately large compared with thu
extremely slender and outwardly
curved legs, conveying an impression
of topheayinsss.
Their metal qualities are on tn,
same low level, as'is Indicated by tn,
almost total absence of clothing I'M
der such inclement skies. This is tn,
feature about the iron men that ha
attracted the attention and aroused
the curiosity OF the few travellers VIII,
have visited this wild region.
But it is not so remarkable, ate
all, that they should go about make,
in the snow and cold. 1t was eithe
this or perish, as there is nothing Of
the Island which they could manu-
facture into clothing.
D The wonder is that they should sur
4 vive after so many years of exposure
Nature has been very kind to them
} As they we're unable to clothe them