by grease. At one end is an iron ring, through
which the thong is passed so as to make a
running noose. The lazo is used on horseback
principally; one end being fastened to the saddle,
the Gaucho carries the rest, carefully coiled, in his
left hand, leaving about four yards of the noose end in a coil; half of this he holds in his right
hand, swinging the noose horizontally round his head; the weight of the iron ring giving it sufficlent impetus, when launched, to carry out the whole length of the line. Such is the dexterity of
these people, that the noose is lodged with unerring precision on any part of the animal at which
they hurl it, round the head and neck, round one
leg, or two legs, or round the horns of a bull;
and, as the horses are trained to lean over on the
opposite side at the moment of the strain, the
most powerful wild animal is suddenly arrested and thrown upon the ground in the midst of its fierce career.
The capturing and breaking of wild horses have been described by many travellers in interesting terms: we select the following from Mr. Darwin’s Journal. "One evening a domidor, or subduer of wild horses, came for the purpose of breaking in some colts. A troop of young wild horses is driven into the corral, or large enclosure of stakes, and the door is shut. We will suppose that one man alone has to catch and mount a horse, which as yet had never bridle or saddle. I conceive, except by a Gaucho; such a feat would be utterly impracticable. The Gaucho picks out a full-grown colt, and as the beast rushes round the circus, he throws his lazo so as to catch both the front legs. Instantly the horse rolls over
