Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

200 POTATOES. How can we account for the numerous canoes stranded in Ob- struction Sound, excepting by a supposition that the natives, after using them in a north-westerly excursion, left them behind at their return, as they may have left others on the shores of Skyring Water ? These canoes were all of bark, and rather smaller than those usually made by the southern Fuegians." Should this be the case, there can no longer be any doubt of the non-existence of a direct passage between Skyring Water and the Smyth Channel (leading northwards from Magalhaens Strait). Perhaps the horse Indians sometimes stay in the neighbourhood of Obstruction Sound, and oblige their slaves (zapallos) to build canoes and swan-traps, to fish for them, and even make excursions for seal. Mr. Bynoe saw many nutria among the islands of Western Patagonia, and a great number of otters. Brant-geese, swans, ducks, and rock-geese were also plentiful in particular places, but not generally. Besides the wild potato, found on the Guaianaco islands (mentioned in the first volume), Mr. Bynoe noticed, in the Gulf of Peiias, an abundance of the plant called ' pangue,' which grows also in Chiloe, and is so much liked by the Chilotes. Mr. Low said that natives whom he met in the Gulf of Tri- nidad relished potatoes which he gave them, and asked for more. They pointed towards the north and used the word ' aquinas," which he recognized as being the term used for potatoes by the aborigines at the south of Chiloe. A native who was on board the Adeona in one of her excur- sions among the western islands of Patagonia induced Low to take long walks in search of potatoes, which never were found ; and afterwards, in the Mesier Channel, he persuaded him to go about in quest of seals, until an opportunity offered for escap- ing to a small party of his own tribe whom he met there. When taxed by the crew with deceiving Mr. Low about the potatoes, he fell into (or affected) a violent passion, and sprung at the nearest man, grappling him in a most determined and malicious manner. Having now mentioned all that I know respecting the Canoe