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JLord Anson, In his voyage, gives a particular 

 iesrription of the dexterity of the South Ame- 

 rican peasants in managing the laqui, with which 

 they take animals, either wild or domestic. In 

 Chili, the inhabitants of the Country constantly 

 carry this laqui with them, fastened to the sad- 

 dles, in order to have it ready upon occasion, 

 and are very skillful in the use of it. It con- 

 sists merely of a strip of leather several fathoma. 

 in length, well twisted in the manner of a cord, 

 and terminated by a strong noose of the same 

 material. They make use of it both on foot and 

 horseback, and in the latter case with equal cer- 

 tainty whether amidst woods, mountains, or steep 

 declivities. On these occasions^ one end of it is 

 fkstened under the horse's belly, and the other 

 held by the rider, who throws it over the flying 

 animal with a dexterity that scarcely ever missei 

 its aim. Herodotus makes mention of a similar 

 noose which was used in battle by the Sagartians.* 

 The Chilians have also employed the laqui with 



Tlie Sagartii were originally of Persian descent, and U9 

 tlie Persian language; they have no ofl'eusive weapons either 

 of iron or brass, except their daggers; their principal dqjend- 

 ance in action is upon cords made of twisted leather, which 

 they use in this manner : when they engage au enemy, they 

 throw out these cords, having a no(>se at the extremity ; i 

 they entangle in them either horse or man, they without dif- 

 ficulty put them to death.-*-e/oe/ Herodotus^ vol. iii. Polfmj 

 nia, page 205. 



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