152 GUANACO AND VICUNA. [1839. 



inner sides of the limbs, are of a dusky white. The face is 

 of a dark gray color, and the lips of a pure white. The 

 guanacos live in herds, from five to seven in number. If 

 taken young they may easily be tamed, but it is with great 

 difficulty that they are trained to carry burdens. 



Still more beautiful than either of the animals of which it 

 is the co-genera, is the vicuna. In size it is between the 

 llama and alpaca, but it has a longer and more slender neck 

 than either. The crown of its head, the upper part of the 

 neck, and the back and thighs., are of a reddish-yellow color, 

 possessing so peculiar a hue that it is called by the natives 

 color de vicuna. The lower part of the neck, and the inner 

 parts of the limbs, are of a bright ochre, and the breast and 

 belly are white. While the rainy season continues, the 

 vicuna inhabits the ridges of the Cordillera, but does not 

 venture up the rocky acclivities, as its hoofs are soft and ten- 

 der, and better adapted to turfy ground. Like the guanaco, 

 it lives in herds, consisting of from six to fifteen females and 

 one male ; the latter is the leader and protector of the herd, 

 and is as jealous of his companions as the Grand Turk of the 

 beauties in his harem. Unlike the latter, however, the female 

 vicunas exhibit the utmost, fidelity and affection to their lord 

 and master; and if he be wounded, when pursued by the 

 hunters, they will gather about him in a circle, uttering their 

 shrill tones of lamentation, and suffer themselves to be cap- 

 tured rather than desert him. This animal is principally 

 caught in what the Indians call a chacu; this consists of a 

 circular inclosure surrounded by stakes connected by ropes 

 or cords. The vicunas are driven into the chacu through an 

 opening left for the purpose, and are prevented from leaping 

 over the ropes by the fluttering of colored rags which the 

 Indian women hang upon them. Thus secured, the animals 

 are easily dispatched by the bolas. 



The flesh of the vicuna is more tender and better flavored 

 than that of the llama. After a hunt the meat is divided 

 among those engaged in it, and the skins aro always set 

 apart for the church. The price of a skin is four reals 



