MAMMALIA — THIBET MUSK. 33] 



The method of taking tliem, proves their extreme timidity, or rather their 

 weakness. The hunters having driven the flock into a narrow passage, 

 across which they have stretched a rope about four feet from the ground, 

 with a number of pieces of linen or cloth hanging on it, the animals are so 

 intimidated at these rags agitated by the wind, that they stop, and, crowd- 

 ing togethd^ in a heap, the hunters kill great numbers of them with the 

 greatest ease. But if there are any guanacos among the flock, which are 

 less timid than the pacos, they leap over the rope with great agility. The 

 example is immediately followed by the whole flock, and they escape the 

 stratagem of their pursuers. 



With respect to the domestic pacos, they are used to carry burdens, like 

 the llamas; but, being smaller and weaker, they carry much less weight. 

 They are likewise of a more stubborn nature ; and, when once they rest 

 with their load, they will suffer themselves to be cut to pieces sooner than 

 rise. The Indians have never made use of the milk of these animals, as 

 they have scarcely enough to supply their own young. The great profit 

 derived from their wool has induced the Spaniards to endeavor to naturalize 

 tbem in Europe. They have transported them into Spain, in hopes to raise 

 the breed in that country ; but, the climate not agreeing with their nature, 

 not one of them lived. We are, nevertheless, persuaded that these animals, 

 which are more valuable than the llamas, might thrive upon the European 

 mountains, especially upon the Pyrenean. Those who brought them into 

 Spain, did not consider that they can exist, even in Peru, only in the cold 

 regions ; that is, on the top of the highest mountains ; that they are 

 never to be found in the valleys, and die if brought into hot countries ; 

 that, consequently, in order to preserve them, they should be landed, not 

 in Spain, but in Scotland, and even in Norway, and with greater certainty 

 at the foot of the Pyrenean, Alpine, or other mountains, where they migh 

 climb and attain to the region that most agrees with their nature. 



THE THIBET MUSK. 1 



The size and general appearance of this animal resembles, in some 

 degree, that of the roebuck. It is about three feet four inches in length, and 

 about two feet eight inches in height, from the top of the shoulders to the 

 bottom of the fore feet ; the ears are long and narrow, of a pale yellow in 

 the inside, and deep brown outside. The general color of the body is a 

 deep iron gray. The female is not so large as the male, has two teats, but 

 is destitute of tusks. 



1 Moschus moschiferus, Lin. The genus Moschus has eight lower incisors, no upper 

 ones ; two upper canines, no lower ones ; twelve upper and twelve lower molars. Canines 

 wanting altogether in the females ; superior canines large in the males ; ears long, point- 

 ed ; body slender ; feet with hoofs, separated and enveloping the last phalanges ; tail very 

 shoi'.; two inguinal mammae. 



