ALTACCA SHEEP. 



451 



tity which we believe to have been a full average import. The high prices cur- 

 rent on the other side have led to shipments of very inftrior quality, which we 

 expect to continue til! the completion of the contracts entered into at high rates. 

 It is reported that supplies will be very much diminished this year, in conse- 

 quence of the c.rlcnsive drouth, which has caused <rrcal morlalily tn the A/pacca 

 and Llama flocks." Of Wool from the United States, the same Circular, ot 

 Hughes & Ronald, of Liverpool, says : 



United Statk*. — Tliis article promises at 

 ■10 distant date to becoiiie of (irst-ratt! iin- 

 ]KiitaiK'e. Tlie present growth is umch greater 

 than we in this conntry liave generally an 

 idea of, being upward of sixty millions of 

 pounds weiglitat the lowest estimate, far ex- 

 ceeding their domestic requirements. It is 

 inqiortaut to notice the great weight of the 

 tleece, wliich is nearly double that of any 

 other counti-y producing similar qualities; 

 and when we consider the facilities for ex- 

 tending tile production, there cannot be a 

 doubt that, in a short time, the quantity 

 available for export will he very considera- 

 ble. Moreover it appears, that, of late much 

 attention has been directed to tbe subject in 

 the Western States, with this view, as otVer- 

 ing. to some extent, a more })rofital)le return 

 than the cultivation of cotton ; and when it is 



stated that one pound of wool, nearly fid I 

 Mood, can be grown at the sajue cost as two 

 pounds of cotton worth (id., there is everv 

 )'ea.son to expect that the trade will evemually 

 prove renunieratiug. The receipts last year 

 were below the previous one, ihe conse- 

 ([uence of fonner shipments generally not 

 having been attended with advanta:,'e; but 

 this is accoiuited for, to soiue extentr bv llio 

 indii'cct chamiels through which many of the 

 lots cimie, ami their inferior condition inmost 

 cases. Until they are got up with more care, 

 better washed, and more evenly graded, wo 

 see little prospect of a profitable result. Tlio 

 greater part hitherto received has l)ecn so 

 deficient in these essential requisites dial pur- 

 chases have been atleudeil with extreme" 

 hazard to die buyer, which has operated 

 much against their sale. 



We have had, as will be seen, for many montlis on file, the following from a 

 gentleman who has resided in Peru, and with habits and every capacity for use- 

 ful observation. His description of the Peruvian sheep, as far as it goes, corres- 

 ponds in the main with Mr. Robinson's. 



J. S. Ski.vn-kr, Ksq. NkwVork. l^ih AFny, lg-16. 



Dear Sir : In answering your esteemed favor of the 7th instant, I beg to say 

 that what I now write will be from casual observation, not having given the 

 subject any attention during my long stay in Peru, with a view of communica- 

 ting information to others. 



The " Alpacca " is indigenous to Peru, generally 4^ to 5 feet high, neck 2 feet 

 long ; they carry themselves, particularly the neck, very erect, so that their head 

 is from ok to 6 feet from the ground ; they move majestically, limbs very clean. 

 They are used among the flocks of Llamas as beasts of burden, and are much 

 esteemed, being sure-footed ; and in droves never run one load against another,, 

 as mules and horses are apt to do, thereby frequently destroying their cargoes if 

 of a frail nature. Alpaccas carry from 15 to 100 pounds, and, when overloaded, 

 lie down and will not rise until lightened ; are very docile and fond of bein"- 

 caressed, and make fine pets. Color generally light brown or dark nankeen, 

 though I have seen many black, and some beautifully white. The Alpacca is 

 not considered so noble as the Llama, and, I suppose, it is owing to the wool of 

 the Alpacca being much longer (say S to 12 inches), which injures their appear- 

 ance. They eat anything and little, and will live when manv other animals 

 would die ; are tough and hardy. Formerly you could buy thein for $1 ; but 

 they are now worth from $4 to $6 in the interior, and would cost about $25 on 

 board ship. 



As food, they are not much esteemed. 



The value of their wool has been much increased, in consequence of the large 

 demand for England, and most or all the wool has been contracted for, for some 

 years to come. When last in Peru (1845), I wished to purchase some Alpacca 

 wool, but could get none at Tacna, from Avhich the most is exported. A friend 

 then gave me an order for 10,000 lbs., to be received at Islay ; but as we only- 

 stopped there one night, I could not take it, as it would have detained me 3 or 4 

 days for the necessary orders at the Custom-llouse. 



I have ordered twelve Alpaccas, and if they are procured in time, shall re- 

 ceive them in October [last], per ship " Orpheus," which I expect here 

 (931) 



