Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage of H.M.S. "Beagle" round the world. / by Charles Darwin, M.A., F.R.S., with a biographical introduction.

  • Charles Darwin
Date:
[1906]
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage of H.M.S. "Beagle" round the world. / by Charles Darwin, M.A., F.R.S., with a biographical introduction. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    65/540 (page 61)
    1832.] THROWING THE BO LAS. beside this latter there was no other vegetable, and_ not even a morsel of bread. For drinking, a large earthenware jug of water served the whole party. Yet this man was the owner of several square miles of land, of which nearly every acre would produce corn, and, with a little trouble, all the common vegetables. 1 he evening was spent in smoking, with a little impromptu singing, accompanied by the guitar. The signoritas all sat together in one corner of the room, and did not sup with the men. _ So many works have been written about these countries, that it is almost superfluous to describe either the lazo or the bolas. ine lazo consists of 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; the other is terminated by a small ring of iron or brass, by which a noose can be formed. The Gaucho, when he is going to use the lazo, keeps a small coil m his bridle-hand, and in the other holds the running noose, which is made very kyge? generally having a diameter of about eight feet. 1 his 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 he chooses. The lazo, when not used, is tied up in a small coil to the after part of the recado. The bolas, or balls, are of two kinds; the simplest, which is chiefly used for catching ostriches, consists of two round stones, covered with leather, and united by a thin plaited thong, about eight feet long, dhe other kind differs only in having three balls united by the thongs to a common centre. The Gaucho holds the smallest of the three in his hand, and whirls the other two round and round his head, then, taking aim, sends them like chain shot revolving thiough the air. The balls no sooner strike any object, than, winding round it, they cross each other, and become firmly hitched. The size and weight of the balls varies, according to the purpose for which they are made : when of stone, although not larger than an apple, they are sent with such force as sometimes to break the leg even of a horse. I have seen the balls made of wood, and as large as a turnip, for the sake of catching these animals without injuring them. The balls are sometimes made of iron, and these can be hurled to the greatest distance. 1 he main difficulty in using either lazo or bolas is to ride so w'ell as to be able at full speed, and while suddenly turning about, to w'hirl them so steadil) round the head, as to take aim : on foot any person would soon learn the art. One day, as I was amusing myself by galloping and whirling the balls round my head, by accident the free one