ANIMALS. 
203 
But, when the resources of the Isthmus shall have been developed 
by the establishment of proper roads, markets, and means of 
transport and communication, the immense droves which now 
roam wild in various localities will be found to constitute an im- 
portant element of wealth. 
The horses found in this portion of Mexico are of small size, 
and almost uniformly poor in flesh. They are, however, of great 
endurance, and possess much more spirit than is indicated in 
their looks. Comparatively, they are very intelligent, and under 
the guidance of the powerful Mexican bit are easily managed. 
The inhabitants employ them principally as saddle-beasts, though 
sometimes for draught, in which case the load is invariably at- 
tached to the animal's tail. As ridiculous and barbarous as this 
custom may appear, it is said to cause the horse no pain ;* and 
if one may judge by the weight of the load, and the quiet man- 
ner in which the animal submits to the practice, this would seem 
to be the case. At all events, this primitive application of 
power is worth an engineer's remembrance, and may serve a 
useful purpose in some necessary contingency. But a small pro- 
portion of the horses are broke to use, the greater number being 
allowed to run untrained on the prairies. By attention to breed- 
ing, their size and quality could undoubtedly be much improved. 
Nearly the entire transportation of the country is carried on 
by means of mules, which are small but very hardy, and pecu- 
liarly well adapted to the rough roads found in the more elevated 
sections. Their usual load is 225 lbs., but on the plains they 
often carry from 400 to 500. The sagacity manifested by them 
is truly surprising : in climbing the steep, rugged paths which 
traverse the mountain districts, often skirting the brink of pre- 
cipices, where a single false step would be fatal, they not only 
tread with great caution, but also keep an eye to the load, which, 
from its bulky nature, is liable, by striking against a tree or 
other obstacle, to throw them off their balance. It matters not 
how much the burden projects on either side, the mule generally 
manages to keep clear of all obstructions, and will even stoop 
to pass under a jutting limb. The inhabitants employ but a 
It was one time the European mode to attach the plough to the tail of the beast. 
