298 Mr Chambers on the existence of raised Beaches 



In some parts of those vast solitudes between the eastern 

 and western Andes, there is no vegetation of any sort, but at 

 other places the ichu grows in abundance, and there myriads 

 of llamas and alpacas are seen, thriving in their native but 

 rigorous climate ; and exhibiting a length of fleece (in some 

 cases not shorn for years) which would astonish an English 

 wool-stapler. In these deserts water is rarely seen, except at 

 some of the halting stations, where a hole dug in the ground 

 affords a supply of bad quality. I never saw a llama or an 

 alpaca take a drink. 



The price of llamas on the coast of Peru varies at different 

 times and places. At Tacna, in 1835, the price was three or 

 four dollars, and I never knew more than six dollars being 

 paid for those which were shipped for Europe. When we 

 consider the expense of conveying these creatures from Peru 

 to England, it is obvious that it will not be profitable to ob- 

 tain wool from the animals so imported ; and it has been 

 already stated, that an attempt to rear them in this country, 

 in sufticient numbers, is not likely to succeed. 



On the Existence of raised Beaches in the neighbourhood of St 

 Andrews. By R. Chambers, Esq., F.R.S.E. With a 

 Plate. Communicated by the Author.* 



On coming, in May last year, to reside in St Andrews, I 

 was much struck at the very first by certain geognostic fea- 

 tures of the environs, of the same character with those re- 

 mains of ancient beaches which have excited the attention 

 of geologists in other parts of the island, but much more 

 distinct than any which I have had an opportunity of seeing. 

 Afterwards, as I extended my rambles from St Andrews, I 

 was much interested in observing continuations of these re- 

 markable platforms along towards the vale of the Eden, some 

 way up that vale, and on the country immediately beyond it. 

 It seemed to me that St Andrews presented unusual oppor- 



* Kcad before the Philosophical Society of St Andrews. 



