120 WHAT MR. DARWIN SAW. 



ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 



and caught by the lazo, it will sometimes gallop round and 

 round in a circle; and the horse, being alarmed at the great 

 strain, if not well broken, will not readily turn like the pivot 

 of a wheel. In consequence, many men have been killed; 

 for if the lazo once takes a twist round a man's body, it will 

 instantly, from the power of the two opposed animals, al- 

 most cut him in twain. A man on horseback, having thrown 

 his lazo round the horns of a beast, can drag it anywhere 

 he chooses. The animal, ploughing up the ground with 

 outstretched legs, in vain efforts to resist the force, gener- 

 ally dashes at full speed to one side; but the horse, im- 

 mediately turning to receive the shock, stands so firmly that 

 the bullock is almost thrown down, and it is surprising that 

 their necks are not broken. The struggle is not, however, 

 one of fair strength, since the horse's girth is matched against 

 the bullock's extended neck. In a similar manner a man 

 can hold the wildest horse, if caught with the lazo just be- 

 hind the ears. 



The lazo is a very strong, but thin, well-plaited rope, made 

 of raw hide. One end is attached to the broad surcingle 

 which fastens together the complicated gear of the recado, or 

 saddle used in the Pampas; at the other end is a small ring 

 of iron or brass, by which a noose can be formed. The Gau- 

 cho, when he is going to use the lazo, keeps a small coil in 

 his bridle-hand, and in the other holds the running noose, 

 which is made very large, generally having a diameter of 

 about eight feet. This he whirls round his head, and by 

 the dexterous movement of his wrist keeps the noose open ; 

 then, throwing it, he causes it to fall on any particular spot 



