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

» 278 SCHOOLS LANGUAGE PRODUCE. 1829. the government has made several attempts to improve the con- dition of the inhabitants; among which, the instruction of public schools, was not the least important. From an official report there appear to be ninety schools, in which 3,84<0 children receive an education, according to the abilities of the masters, who are employed ; but these, from the small salary attached to the situation, cannot be expected to be superior. The language in common use, is Spanish ; the original Indian tongue being almost forgotten : but it is supposed to be the same as that spoken by the Indians of Madre de Dios ; for, on a late occasion, a whaler which had been upon the coast of those islands, and had taken on board an Indian, as a pilot, called at Castro ; and during her visit, the Indian communi- cated with those who understood the language of the Chonos and by them was tolerably well understood. This Indian has been frequently embarked on board American or English sealers, which frequent those coasts, to serve as a pilot to the seal-rookeries.* He is known by the name of Dan. The products of the island, for the year 1828, according to the census, and returns, officially made, were Wheat. . 64,935 fanegas (175 lbs. in a fanega) about 200,000 bushels. Barley.. 21,645. Potatoes 194,805. and the muster of stock, and apple-trees, as follows : Horned cattle 5,41 1 head. Sheep 86,580 Swine 21,645 Apple trees 75,754 The manufactures of the province are Carro, a coarse woollen cloth, two and a half, or three yards long, and three quarters of a yard wide, used for men's garments, and of very durable quaUty, Ponchos — ^both these and the carro are manufactured by women, in a rude sort of loom, of wool dyed of various colours from plants that are found in the island, or imported for the # Places where seal congregate — so called always by the scalers.