6/53 This is a very curious fact, showing the extraordinarily rapid multiplication of horses in South America. The horse was first landed at Buenos Ayres in 1537, and the colony being then for a time deserted, the horse ran wild (11/2. der Saugethiere von Paraguay" S.334.); in 1580, only forty-three years afterwards, we hear of them at the Strait of Magellan! Mr.Low informs me, that a neighbouring tribe of foot-Indians is now changing into horse-Indians: the tribe at Gregory Bay giving them their worn-out horses, and sending in winter a few of their best skilled men to hunt for them. PORT FAMINE, MAGELLAN.) We anchored in the fine bay of Port Famine. |