150 WILD ANIMALS. [1839 



and the young of the llama and vicuna. It is unable, how- 

 ever, to sustain a greater weight, when flying, than eight or 

 ten pounds, and it is absurd to suppose, as has been frequently 

 stated, that sheep and calves could be carried off by it. The 

 Indians of the Sierra relate numerous instances of its attack- 

 ing children, but their stories must be received with a great 

 deal of allowance. The plumage of the condor is strong and 

 thick, and forms a very good protection against fire-arms. 

 It is usually caught by the natives, in traps or by the lasso ; 

 or killed by the bolas, or by stones thrown from slings. 



Among the wild animals are the puma, or American lion, 

 the ounce, a kind of tiger cat called the uturuncu, the tapir, 

 and the hucumari, a black bear that inhabits the mountains. 

 The anas, or skunk, and a singular kind of guinea pig. are 

 found in the bushes. The red deer, the wild boar, and the 

 tarzish, or Puna stag, are the favorite objects of the chase. 

 Armadillos, rock rabbits, chinchillos, and the venddo, a spe- 

 cies of roe, are also caught in large quantities by the hunters. 

 Of the amphibia, the iguana, the land agama, and the fresh 

 water tortoise, are the most numerous. Alligators infest the 

 streams, but noxious reptiles and insects, though occasionally 

 found, are not as frequently met with as in many other coun- 

 tries. Monkeys are abundant in the forests. 



Of far greater importance than the other native animals of 

 Peru, are the llama, or South American camel, the alpaca, 

 the guanaco, and the vicuna. Both the llama and alpaca 

 are domesticated, and previously to the Spanish invasion 

 they were the principal beasts of burden among the Peru- 

 vians. The young llama is left with its dam for about a 

 year, after which it is removed and placed with flocks. When 

 four years old, the males and females are separated ; the lat- 

 ter being kept for breeding, and the former trained to carry 

 burdens, principally in the silver mines of North Peru. Tinw- 

 are usually made to carry about one hundred pounds each, — 

 as they are only capable of sustaining one hundred and twenty- 

 five without injury, — and if overloaded they will lie down, 

 and utterly refuse to rise again till some part of the load is 



