134 



CHARLES DARWIN 



blage of buildings possesses considerable architectural beauty, 

 although none individually can boast of any. 



The great corral, where the animals are kept for slaugh- 

 ter to supply food to this beef-eating population, is one of 

 the spectacles best worth seeing. The strength of the horse 

 as compared to that of the bullock is quite astonishing: a 

 man on horseback having thrown his lazo round the horns 

 of a beast, can drag it anywhere he chooses. The animal 

 ploughing tip the ground with outstretched legs, in vain 

 efforts to resist the force, generally dashes at full speed to 

 one side; but the horse immediately 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; the 

 horse's girth being matched against the bullock's extended 

 neck. In a similar manner a man can hold the wildest horse, 

 if caught with the lazo, just behind the ears. When the 

 bullock has been dragged to the spot where it is to be 

 slaughtered, the matador with great caution cuts the ham- 

 strings. Then is given the death bellow; a noise more ex- 

 pressive of fierce agony than any I know. I have often dis- 

 tinguished it from a long distance, and have always known 

 that the struggle was then drawing to a close. The whole 

 sight is horrible and revolting: the ground is almost made of 

 bones ; and the horses and riders are drenched with gore. 



