le but this
inconvenience may be removed, on a farther search.

There are also in all parts of this country a good number of
_Vicunnas_, or Peruvian sheep, but these, by reason of their
swiftness, are very difficultly killed. On the eastern coast, also,
there are immense quantities of seals, and a vast variety of sea-fowl,
among which the most remarkable are the penguins. These are, in size
and shape, like a goose, but have short stumps like fins instead of
wings, which are of no use to them except when in the water. Their
bills are narrow, like that of the albatross, and they stand and walk
quite erect, from which circumstance, and their white bellies, Sir
John Narborough has whimsically likened them to little children
standing up in white aprons.

The inhabitants of this eastern coast, to which hitherto I confine my
observations, appear to be but few, and rarely have more than two or
three of them been seen at a time by any ships that have touched here.
During our stay at Port St Julian we did not see any. Towards
Buenos Ayres, however, they are sufficiently numerous, and are very
troublesome to the Spaniards: But there the greater breadth and
variety of the country, and a milder climate, yield them greater
conveniences. In that part the continent is between three and four
hundred leagues in breadth, while at Port St Julian it is little more
than one hundred. I conceive, therefore, that the same Indians who
frequent the western coast of Patagonia, and the northern shore of the
Straits of Magellan, often ramble to this eastern side. As the Indians
near Buenos Ayres are more numerous than those farther south, they
also greatly excel them in spirit and activity, and seem nearly allied
in their manners to the gallant Chilese Indians, [Araucanians] who
have long set the whole Spanish power at defiance, have often ravaged
their country, and remain to this hour independent. The Indians about
Buenos Ayres have learned to be excellent horsemen, and are extremely
expert in the management of all cutting weapons, though ignorant of
fire-arms, which the Spaniards are exceedingly solicitous to keep from
them. Of the vigour and resolution of these Indians, the behaviour
of Orellana and his followers, formerly mentioned, is a memorable
instance.

This much may suffice respecting the eastern coast of Patagonia. The
western coast is of less extent; and, by reason of the Andes which
skirt it, and stretch quite down to the sea side,