LAMAS. ] 89 



They form a secondary tribe of camels peculiar to 

 America, but instead of that heavy and stupid aspect, 

 that strange hunch, and bent neck, which distin- 

 guishes the laborious and patient camel, lamas carry 

 their heads nearly perpendicular, while their long 

 pointed and moveable ears, and large animated eyes, 

 give them an air of sprightliness and activity. But 

 the chief organic difference which distinguishes them 

 from true camels, consists in the formation of the 

 toes, which are not united by a common sole, and in 

 their being destitute (because it is not necessary to 

 them,) of that wonderful apparatus which enables the 

 Bactrian and Arabian species to traverse vast and arid 

 deserts, in which it is difficult to meet with water. 

 Owing to the construction of their toes, they move 

 swiftly along rocky pathways, also on slippery ice 

 and frozen snow, places where the camel could not 

 tread without danger, and on which the singular 

 conformation of his foot, so wonderfully adapted to 

 heavy sands, and the unbroken surface of the desert, 

 would prevent him from venturing. 



Lamas are inquisitive and timid creatures, gentle, 

 and rather shy, yet easily domesticated, and capable 

 of great attachment to their keepers, nor are their 

 services restricted to those of a domestic nature, for 

 the skin is useful, and the wool an important article 

 of commerce. Few animals are more pleasing to 

 the eye : their hair is long and soft, woolly and elas- 

 tic ; their carriage graceful, and when seen in front, 

 with the splendid silvery white clothing of the 

 throat and breast, hanging like a mantle below the 

 knees, they produce a beautiful effect. The finest 

 specimens stand nearly six feet from the ground to 



