VICUNAS. 287 



They feede vpon the highest tops of the mountains,, which LlB - IY - 

 they call Punas. The snowe nor frost doth not offend 

 them, but contrariwise they seem to delight in it. They 

 goe in troopes, and runne most lightly ; when they meete 

 with any travellers or beasts, they fly away, seeming very 

 fearefull, and in flying they drive their young ones before 

 them. They do not finde that they multiply much; and 

 therefore the Kings Yncas did defend the hunting of 

 vicunas, if it were not for their feasts, or by their com- 

 mandement. Some complaine, that since the Spaniards 

 entred there, they have given too much libertie to hunt the 

 vicunas, and by this meanes they are much diminished. 

 The manner the Indians vse in their hunting, they assemble 

 many men together, to the number of 1000 or 2000; yea, 

 more, and invironing^ a great circuit of wood, they hunt 

 their game vntil they have compassed it in on all parts, 

 and by this meanes they commonly take three or foure 

 hundred, and so choosing what they list, they let go the 

 rest, especially the females for breede. They are accus 

 tomed to sheere these beasts, and of their fleece to make 

 coverings and rugges of great value, for that this wooll is 

 like to white silke, which lastes long; and as the colour is 

 naturall and not died, so is it perpetuall. The stuffes that 

 are made of this wooll are very fresh and good in summer, 

 and they hold them profitable for the inflammation of the 

 reines and other parts, tempering the excessive heate. 

 This wooll hath the like vertue when it is made in quiltes, 

 and therefore some vse it to that end, for the triall they 

 have made thereof. They say, moreover, that this wooll, or 

 coverings made thereof, is phisicall for other indispositions, 

 as for the gowt ; yet doe I not know that they have made 

 any certaine triall thereof. The flesh of these vicunas is 

 not good, although the Indians eate it, and drie it. For 

 the effects of physicke, I will say what I have seene vppon 

 the Sierra of Peru. Comming one night into a Tambo or 



