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

450 MB. rouse's assistance. June. conversant in Araucanian habits and language, even if they should have made a slight acquaintance with those of Chile. His assistance proved to be of the utmost consequence, for not only did his explanations intimidate and discourage open or disguised enemies, who were not wanting, but his credit and influence procured daily supplies of provisions: while to his address and good sense every one of the shipwrecked crew was much indebted in many transactions. Dayhght found Seymour and myself still talking, though he had given me his bed. Partly at that time, and partly in subsequent conversations, he gave me the following account of the loss of the Challenger ; but without mentioning his own exertions or conduct, which I heard of from his officers. I will take this opportunity of mentioning that there is a large fox, called ' culpen,' in the Araucanian country, which was mentioned to me as heing more like a wolf than a fox; but at that time I paid very little atten- tion to the subject. Stevenson sa}'s, " the culpen is rather more foolish than daring, but not void of the latter quality. It will advance within eight, or ten paces of a man, and after looking at him for some time, will retire carelessly." " Its colour is a dark reddish brown, with a long straight tail covered with shaggy hair; its height is about two feet." — Stevenson's South America, vol. i. p. 115. (Is not this like the Falkland animal?) (Note referred to in page 423.) (a) UUoa said that the word ' cochayuyo ' meant 'lake herb.' His authority is too good to be lightly questioned, otherwise I should have had no doubt that the word was derived from * cochun,' ' salt,' or ' bitter,' and ' yu,' a thread : as the plant grows with long thread-like stalks, which taste salt, like most sea-weed : and ' lavquen ' is the word generally used for ' lake,' as well as * sea,' rather than ' cocha.'