on a small scale was the chief source of
income of that magnificent State--an income which in less indolent hands
might be increased ten-thousand-fold or more. Its horses and mules found
a ready market in the adjacent State of Matto Grosso and from there went
into Bolivia, while the States of Minas Geraes and Sao Paulo were the
chief buyers of pigs, _toucinho_ (dried pork fat), dried beef, hides raw
and cured, cheese, lard, etc.

Goyaz prided itself greatly on its horses, which enjoyed a certain fame
all over Brazil. Perhaps they were in a way as good as any produced in
the Republic. With a little study and care in the breeding they might be
greatly improved and rendered as sturdy and good-looking as some horses
of Asia and Northern Africa. So far they were far inferior in appearance
and endurance to the horses of Arabia, Turkestan, Europe and Abyssinia.

The most interesting type of the Goyaz horse was what is called the
_curraleiro_ or "stable horse," bred in the north of the State,
especially in the valley of Paranan, bordering upon Minas and Bahia. The
curraleiro was also known as _cavallo sertanejo_ or "horse of the
jungle"--two most inappropriate names, for it was, accurately speaking,
neither one nor the other.

The Goyaz horse was a typical Brazilian horse. It shared many of the
characteristics of the people of the Province. Timidity, laziness, lack
of affection and judgment, sulkiness and great stubbornness under
training of any kind were its qualities. This was due chiefly, I think,
to its inferior intelligence when compared with thoroughbred horses of
other nations. The Goyaz horse was small, fairly agile, and when well
cared for had a handsome shiny coat with luxuriant mane and tail. It was
capable of short, noteworthy efforts, but did not possess abnormal
endurance.

The present curraleiro is a mere degeneration of what must have formerly
been an excellent horse. Considering the absolute lack of care taken in
its breeding, it was certainly remarkable that it proved to be as good a
horse as it actually was. Judiciously crossed with Hungarian, Turkestan,
Arab or Abyssinian horses, I think that quite excellent results might be
obtained. It must be taken into consideration that great hardships and
work of the roughest character were demanded of animals in Central
Brazil.

A praiseworthy movement was started some years ago by Marechal Hermes da
Fonseca, now President of the Republic, to mount the entire Bra