348 ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES. 



Under the general term Llama are comprehended at 

 least three species of ruminants, with which Europe is 

 destined ere long, we trust, to make acquaintance. 

 Being mountain representatives of the camel, modified 

 in form and habit in conformity with their position, the 

 acquisition of them should be the especial object of 

 those inhabiting the mountain regions of the north. 

 Their native region is the highlands of Chili and Peru, 

 where they abound, both wild and tame. The llama is 

 of great utility as a beast of burden, capable of carry- 

 ing a load of about 100 pounds, while the wool of the 

 alpaca is very valuable. Their flesh, also, is as much 

 esteemed as that of the sheep. In the introduction of 

 these creatures Spain has taken the lead ; but now ex- 

 periments on a great scale have been undertaken for the 

 introduction of the llama and the alpaca into France and 

 Australia, the latter country having lately held out 

 large pecuniary inducements which have led to their 

 being transported thither in large numbers. The diffi- 

 culty of this great enterprise has been augmented very 

 needlessly by the selfish policy of the governments of 

 Peru and Bolivia in forbidding the export of these valu- 

 able animals. Mr Ledger, the energetic conductor into 

 Australia of 400 llamas, alpacas, and vicugnas, spent 

 seven years on his expedition, two preparing for, and 

 five in carrying it out. He led them 1500 miles through 

 the passes of the Andes, amid which he encountered 

 storms of wind and snow, threatening destruction to the 

 herd and its drivers. It is gratifying to learn that the 

 colonial government of Sydney, appreciating the diffi- 

 culties of the enterprise, raised the promised reward 

 from 10,000 to 12,000, even though, of the 400 

 animals embarked, Mr Ledger succeeded in landing 

 only 256 in Australia. A grant of 1500 a-year for 

 the maintenance of the herd declared the importance 

 attached to this addition to the industrial resources of 

 the colony. 



France has been most persevering, but most unfor- 



