Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

May 1827. ' toldos ' tomb. 03 farthei- back there was a luxuriant growth of grass, afTorJing rich and plentiful pasture for the horses, among which we observed several mares in foal, and colts feeding and friskino- by the side of their dams : the scene was lively and pleasing, and, for the moment, reminded me of distant climes, and days gone by. The ' toldos' are all alike. In form they are rectangular, about ten or twelve feet long, ten deep, seven feet hio-h in front, and six feet in the rear. The frame of the buildino- is formed by poles stuck in the ground, having forked tops to hold cross pieces, on which are laid poles for rafters, to sup- port the covering, which is made of skins of animals sewn together so as to be almost impervious to rain or wind. The posts and rafters, which are not easily procured, are carried from place to place in all their travelhng excursions. Having reached their bivouac, and marked out a place with due regard to shelter from the wind, they dig holes with an iron bar or piece of pointed hard wood, to receive the posts ; and all the frame and cover being ready, it takes but a short time to erect a dwelling. Their goods and furniture are placed on horse- back under the charge of the females, who are mounted aloft upon them. The men carry nothing but the lasso and bolas, to be ready for the capture of animals, or for defence. Maria's toldo was nearly in the middle, and next to it was her brother's. All the huts seemed well stored with skins and provisions, the former being rolled up and placed at the back, and the latter suspended from the supporters of the roof; the greater part was in that state well known in South America by the name of charque (jerked beef) ; but this was princi- pally horse-flesh, which these people esteem superior to other food. The fresh meat was almost all guanaco. The only vessels they use for carrying water are bladders, and suffi- ciently disagreeable substitutes for drinking utensils they make: the Fuegian basket, although sometimes dirty, is less offensive. About two hundred yards from the village the tomb was erected, to which, while Maria was arranging her skins and