1839.] LLAMA AND ALPACA. 151 



removed. These animals will rapidly and safely ascend, or 

 descend, the steep mountain sides, where the ass, or mule, 

 cannot maintain its footing. They cannot well travel more 

 than three or four leagues during the day, as they will not 

 graze at night. The Indian drivers, or arrieros, are very 

 fond of them, and often attach bows of ribbons to their ears, 

 and hang bells round their necks. The llama is not used for 

 riding or draught ; the Indian lads sometimes mount them, 

 but this is very rare. The price of one of these animals, 

 when full-grown, is from three to four dollars ; but in Cuzco 

 and Ayacucho, where they most abound, they may be pur- 

 chased in flocks for one and a half or two dollars per head. 

 The flesh of the llama is spongy and of a disagreeable flavor. 

 Its wool is used for making coarse cloths. 



The alpaca, or paco, whose wool enters into so many fabrics 

 now commonly worn, is smaller than the llama, and but lit- 

 tle larger than the common sheep, which it resembles in form. 

 Its neck is longer than that of the sheep, and its head is much 

 better proportioned. The fleece is from four to five inches 

 long, and is beautifully soft. Its color is commonly white or 

 black, but it is occasionally speckled. These animals are 

 kept in flocks, in the elevated pastures, and are driven to the 

 Indian huts or villages, only at shearing time. The wool is 

 made into blankets and ponchos, and always commands a 

 good price for exportation. They are very shy, but equally 

 obstinate. It is almost impossible to separate one from the 

 flock ; if the attempt is made, the alpaca will cast itself upon 

 the ground, and. neither punishment nor entreaty will avail 

 in the least. If separated from its species when very young, 

 it may be reared ; otherwise it soon dies, where it cannot 

 escape to its companions. 



The guanaco is the largest of the family to which all theso 

 animals belong. It measures five feet from the bottom of the 

 hoof to the top of the head, and resembles the llama very 

 nearly in form, though its color is different, and its wool is 

 shorter and coarser. Its neck, back, and thighs, are reddish- 

 brown, and the under part of the body and breast, and the 



