GUANACO. 355 



ground — a habit which often at first induced our men to 

 suppose they were severely wounded, when they were in 

 reahty perfectly intact. Mr. Darwin has commented on 

 the singular habit which they possess of depositing their 

 droppings on successive days in the same defined heap, 

 and this I have likewise frequently observed. It would 

 be difficult to over-estimate their numbers on the 

 Patagonian plains ; for in whatever direction we walked 

 we always came upon numbers of their skeletons, and 

 detached bones. Their two principal enemies are the 

 Patagonian Indians and the Puma, as they constitute 

 the principal food of both. The flesh is somewhat dry, 

 and with very little fat, but is very palatable, particularly 

 in the absence of other fresh provisions ; and the skin 

 is invaluable to the Patagonians, as furnishing the 

 material from which their long robes are constructed. 

 Occasionally bezoar stones are to be met with in the 

 stomach, which are regarded by the Patagonians as of 

 medicinal value." 



A A 2 



