THE HORSE. 179 



colder climates do not agree with his constitu- 

 tion ; for although he is found almost in them all, 

 yet his form is altered there, and he is found at 

 once diminutive and ill-shaped. We have the 

 testimony of the ancients that there were wild 

 horses once in Europe ; at present, however, they 

 are totally brought under subjection ; and even 

 those which are found in America are of a Spanish 

 breed, which being sent thither upon its first dis- 

 covery, have since become wild, and have spread 

 over all the south of that vast continent, almost 

 to the Straits of Magellan. These, in general, 

 are a small breed, of about fourteen hands, high. 

 They have thick jaws and clumsy joints ; their 

 ears and neck also are long ; they are easily 

 tamed ; for the horse, by nature, is a gentle com- 

 plying creature, and resists rather from fear than 

 obstinacy. They are caught by a kind of noose, 

 and then held fast by the legs, and tied to a tree, 

 where they are left for two days, without food or 

 drink. By that time they begin to grow manage- 

 able ; and in some weeks they become as tame 

 as if they had never been in a state of wildness. 

 If by any accident they are once more set at 

 liberty, they never become wild again, but know 

 their masters, and come to their call. Some of 

 the buccaneers have often been agreeably sur- 

 prised, after a long absence, to see their faithful 

 horses once more present themselves with their 

 usual assiduity, and come up, with a fond sub- 

 mission, to receive the rein. 



These American horses, however, cannot pro- 

 perly be ranked among the wild races, since they 



