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

276 CULTIVATION — IMPROVEMENT. 1829, Luma, three or four yards in length, fastened above and below to cross-rails, by ligatures of creeping plants, of which there is an abundance in the woods close to the town : the general name for them is Buque. The land in the vicinity of San Carlos, which is a peninsula, is cleared of timber, and partially cultivated. In the valley, through wliich the rivulet runs into the sea near the mole, there are a few attempts at gardens ; but the extent to which the inhabitants cultivate, seems to be confined to a rood of potatoes and wheat, which, with a litter of pigs, and an inex- haustible store of shell-fish on the coast, are the principal sup- port of their families. It is not surprising, when so little personal trouble is necessary to provide subsistence, that the Chilotes(M) should not be an industrious race. Byron, in his narrative of the loss of the Wager, has given a most excellent and correct account of the inhabitants of this island; which, excepting for those about San Carlos and Castro, may well serve at the pre- sent time. In the town, trade, a free communication with other parts of South America, and the residence of several Europeans, have introduced approaches towards refinement; and besides the articles of luxury that occasionally make their appearance, such as chairs and tables, crockery-ware, and similar domestic comforts ; shoes and stockings are now, on feast days, in com- mon use among the females ; although in many instances one can easily observe, that the wearer is actuated by vanity, rather than by any comfort or pleasure she derives, from a confine- ment to which her feet have not been accustomed.* This is one of the steps towards civilization, which the Chilote peasantry are making, and among the higher classes ' el ultimo modo (the latest fashion), is not less the theme of conversation than it is in other parts of the Republic. In style of dress, among the upper ranks, the men are more advanced than the women, many having been in other countries. (tt) Native of Chiloe.— R. F. AgUeros sa3'.s, " both men and women go generally with the foot and leg uncovered ; with the exception of the principal families ; but even those do not all wear shoes." — (Agueros, p. 108.)