1004 THE UNGULATES, OR HOOFED MAMMALS 



With the true llama (L. glama) we come to the first of the two do- 

 mesticated representatives of the genus, both of which are now con- 

 sidered to have originated from the wild guanaco. The llama attains larger 

 dimensions than the guanaco, and is very variable in color, although generally 

 white, or white spotted with brown or black, and more rarely completely brown 

 or black. The skull .is very similar to that of the guanaco, and the knees 

 have the same naked patches. In general appearance the llama is a long-necked 

 and long-limbed creature, with comparatively-short hair falling but little below 

 the lower line of the body. It was bred by the ancient Peruvians mainly as 

 a beast of burden, or for riding, and was chiefly characteristic of the southern 

 portion of Peru, where, before the Spanish conquest, enormous numbers of 

 these animals were kept. The introduction of horses and mules has, however, 

 gradually led to the displacement of the llama as a beast of burden. When, how- 

 ever, llamas and alpacas were the only domesticated Ungulates in South America, 

 their importance to the Peruvians was fully as great as is that of the reindeer to the 

 modern Laplander, since between them they not only did all the carrying work of 

 the country, but likewise supplied their masters with wool and flesh. The complete 

 distinction between llamas and alpacas from as far back as tradition or records ex- 

 tend, coupled with the extreme antiquity of the Peruvian civilization, indicates that 

 the domestication of the wild guanaco must in all probability have taken place at a 

 very early period. As showing the security of the country it may be mentioned 

 that, soon after the Spanish conquest, it was not uncommon to meet droves of from 

 three hundred to five hundred or even one thousand llamas, each laden with silver 

 ingots, and the whole in charge of a single native. Such droves slept in the open 

 fields without the slightest danger from loss by robbers. Only the male llamas were 

 used as beasts of burden, while the smaller females were kept for their milk and 

 flesh. In traveling along the roads the droves marched in single file, under the 

 guidance of a leader; and such a line would traverse the highest passes of the Cor- 

 dillera, and skirt the most stupendous precipices with perfect safety. When not in 

 active use, the herds of llamas were kept on the higher mountain pastures, where 

 they would often temporarily associate with wild guanacos. The Spanish con- 

 querors of Peru spoke of llama flesh as being fully equal to the best mutton, and 

 they established in the towns shops for its regular sale. , At the period of the conquest 

 it is estimated that upward of three hundred thousand llamas were employed in the 

 transport of the product of the mines of Potosi alone. Llamas produce only one off- 

 spring at a time, so that their rate of increase is not very rapid. Usually the young 

 are suckled by the mother for about four months, but in one race the period is 

 longer; and it is stated that the young of two successive seasons may not unfre- 

 quently be seen suckling at the same time. 



Alpaca ^ he al P aca ( L - P acos } is a considerably-smaller animal than the 



llama, and is bred for the sake of its wool, which is of great fineness 

 and length, reaching in some specimens almost to the ground. The usual color of 

 the wool is very dark brown or black. In regard to the origin of the alpaca, Mr. 

 Thomas has come to the conclusion that the old view of the vicuna being the 

 parent stock is untenable, and that we must look to the guanaco as the true ancestor. 



