248 DOMESTIC HORSES. 



known to carry a heavy man one Imndred miles 

 without drawing bit ; but some account having al- 

 ready been given of them, and recent travellers 

 having repeatedly described the mode of subduing 

 and management of horses by the Gauchos!, we shall 

 point out only two or three breeds. Well known 

 in Peru is 



The Parameros (see Plate XTI.), so called from 

 the word paramos (mountains), because they gallop 

 down steep precipices and leap across ravines with 

 equal rapidity and safety. A second, named 



Aigidlilla^'^ are not less vigorous and active, and 

 prized for a most rapid mode of moving, resembling 

 an amble, but so fast that, according to Don Juan 

 de UUoa, the best gallop cannot keep up with it. 



In the hills and mountain regions of the northern 

 states of South America, we have found the grey of 

 the Asturian stock very prevalent-, and among them 

 rufous greys with soft somewhat curled hair; those 

 we have seen were powerful, square-built, and sure- 

 footed cobs, remarkably serviceable in precipitous 

 mountain regions. 



In Paraguay, however, the Spanish horse blood 

 is sadly degenerated, and there are no feral herds, in 

 consequence of an hippobosca or an cestrus attacking 

 the umbilical region of young foals, producing ulcers 

 which invariably destroy the animal, unless human 

 care interposes. To this care the natives solely con- 

 fine the protection they give horses, and neglected 

 in this manner, they are become heavy inelegant 

 animals, with a deformity among them we do not 



