M A M M A L I A — L L A M A . 



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becomes entirely useless at fifteen. They are gentle and phlegmatic, and 

 do every thing with the greatest leisure and caution. When they stop on 

 their journeys, they bend their knees very cautiously, in order to lower their 

 bodies without disordering their load. As soon as they hear their driver 

 whistle, they rise up again with the same precaution, and proceed on their 

 journey. They feed, as they go along, on the grass they meet with in their 

 way, but never eat in the night, making use of that time to ruminate. The 

 llama sleeps, like the camel, with its feet folded under its belly, and rumi- 

 nates in that posture. When overloaded or fatigued, it falls on its belly, and 

 will not rise, though its driver strikes it with his utmost force. 



Peru, according to Gregory de Bolivar, is the true and native country of 

 the llamas ; they are conducted into other provinces, as New Spain, &c. 

 But this is rather for curiosity than utility. But in Peru, from Potosi to 

 Caraccas, these animals are in great numbers, and make the chief riches 

 of the Indians and Spaniards, who rear them. Their flesh is excellent 

 food; their hair, or rather wool, may be spun into beautiful clothing; and 

 they are capable of carrying heavy loads in the most rugged and dangerous 

 ways. The strongest of them will travel with two hundred or two hundred 

 and fifty pounds weight on their backs. Their pace is but slow, and their 

 journey is seldom above fifteen miles a day ; but then they are sure, and 

 descend precipices, and find footing among the most craggy rocks, where 

 even men can scarcely accompany them. They commonly travel for five 

 days together, when they are obliged to rest, which thev do, of their own 

 accord, for two or three days. They are chiefly employed in carrying the 

 riches of the mines of Potosi. Bolivar affirms, that in his time above three 

 hundred thousand of these animals were in actual employ. 

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