LLAMA. 



Guanaco, and the Chilihueque, but gives figures of the two first 

 oaly. 



F. Cuvier makes the number of species three the Llama, the Paco, 

 .ind the Vicuna; M. Lesson gives the same. Dr. Fischer records 

 the same three and a fourth, Auckenia Articana (Chilihueque), as 

 doubtful. In his ' Addenda et Emendanda ' he notices L. Huanaca 

 (Auckenia Huanaca, Hamilton Smith ; Cereocameltu of Jonston) with 

 a query if it is not a mere variety of L. Peruana. As a synonym to 

 Lama Paco he adds A wchenia Paco (Hamilton Smith), Camelus Guanaco 

 (Traill). To Lama Vicuna he adds Aucheuia Vicugna (Hamilton 

 Smith), less than the former; and to LamaArucana,AuclieniaArucana 

 (Hamilton Smith). 



LLAMA. 



49<) 



Male Brown Llama. V. Cuvier. 



ruco. F. Cuvitr. 



Mr. Bennett observes that it seems to be the general-opinion among 

 the leading writers of the present day that the subdivision of the genus 

 baa been carried to too great an extent. He thinks that F. Cuvier 

 is fully justified by the imperfect accounts of Molina in rejecting as 

 species the Guanaco and the Hueque of that writer. Mr. Bennett 

 states that he should have little hesitation in proceeding still further, 

 for he is strongly inclined to agree with Baron Cuvier in regarding the 

 Paco as a mere variety of the Llama with the wool more amply deve- 

 loped; and in considering the Vicuna as the only animal of the group 

 that deserves to be specifically distinguished from the latter. Skeletons 

 of both the Llama and the Vicuna are preserved in the museum of the 

 College of Surgeons, London. 



The Cordillera of the Andes, below the line of perpetual snow, is 

 the region inhabited by these creatures. They are found in Peru 

 (but not in Mexico) and Chili principally, though now much reduced 



in number ; in Columbia and Paraguay they are more rare. Most of 

 the navigators to the Straits of MagalLaens and south-western coasts 

 of America mention Guauacoes from early times down to the expe- 

 ditions under Captain King and Captain Fitzroy inclusive, and the 

 Besh of these animals has afforded a salutary refreshment to the 

 crews. 



Vicuna. Buffon. 



Brown 



i, exhibited in England. 



The habits of the Llamas may be in a great measure gathered from 

 the descriptions of the Spanish writers above given. In a wild state they 

 keep together in herds, sometimes of one or two hundred, feeding on a 

 sort of rushy grass or reed called ycho, which grows on the mountains, 

 and it is said never drinking when they have sufficient green herbage. 

 They resort to a particular spot to drop their dung, which a good deal 

 resembles that of a goat, sheep, or giraffe, a habit which is often fatal 

 to them from betraying their haunts. Modern observers have noticed 

 the careful look-out that they keep, and the rapidity with which they 

 flee, then turn to gaze, and again swiftly gallop off. Molina says that 

 the Guanacoes leave the mountains, where they passed the summer, 

 at the beginning of winter, when they descend to the plains. Here 

 they are hunted down, at least the young and inactive, with dogs by 

 the Chilians. During the chace they are said frequently to turn upon 

 their pursuers, neigh loudly, and then take to their heels again. 

 Another mode of capturing them by the Indians is for many hunters 



