146 TRICIIOLOdlA MAMMALIDM; 



properties are not very great. But as the Camel is, in other respects, a highly useful 

 animal, it might be as well to try to domesticate it in the United States. 



OF THE LAMA, (ANCHENIA,) "CAMEL OF THE NEW WORLD," OF EDWARDS. This 

 animal belongs to the tribe " Camel," of the section " without horns," of the eighth order, 

 viz: "Ruminantia;" Camelus Glama, of Linn., and Lama of Buff. He is about 4 feet 

 high; his body, comprehending his head and neck, 5 feet 6 inches the neck alone being 

 nearly 3 feet. Peru is said to be his native country, where his race is found in the 

 greatest abundance, and is much esteemed for the flesh as well as the pile, which latter 

 is converted into beautiful clothing. The Lama is also used as a beast of burthen, being 

 very strong and sure-footed. He will travel with 200 to 250 pounds weight upon his 

 back. In the time of Bolivar, upwards of 300,000 of these animals were employed at the 

 mines of Potosi.* Some Lamas are black, others brown; and a white one (probably an 

 Albino, (was exhibited at the London Zoological Garden. The one from which our speci- 

 mens of pile were taken, was shown at the Zoological Institute in Philadelphia, in 1848. 

 It was brown, paler on the under parts. The Lama is not as long lived as the Camel 

 his existence being limited to 15 or 20 years. 



Examination and Description of the Pile of the Lama. The Pile of the Chest. Length, 

 tl inches; shape, oval; diameter, y^V of a millimeter by T7 Q ; color, light brown; no 

 lustre ; inclination, straight. 



Ductility, Elasticity and Tenacity of one inch. 



With 170 grains it stretched -^ of an inch, elasticity entire. 

 " 220 " " A 



* Lamas are still used in Peru as beasts of burthen. At the Salines, near Huacho, they are employed in carrying lumps 

 of solid salt oaeh one carrying 100 pounds on his back. (Tschudi's Travels in Peru.) 



