EXTRACTS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. 359 



tries. Of course, in speaking of this universal prejudice, we allude 

 simply to the generality of those who at present occupy and cul- 

 tivate our soil, and who form their opinion, probably, without very 

 well knowing the grounds upon which it rests. 



There is every probability, notwithstanding the general notion 

 to the contrary, that a useful addition will shortly be made to our 

 stock of domestic animals. The alpaca, from the experience of 

 it which has been compiled from various quarters in this country 

 by Mr. Walton, really seems likely hereafter to play an important 

 part in the stock-farming of the hilly districts of the kingdom. 

 This animal is indigenous in the mountainous regions of Peru, 

 where two domesticated species of it occur. The one receiving 

 the name of llama, is used as a beast of burden ; the other, the al- 

 paca, to which we at present allude, is a wool-bearing animal, and 

 of it large flocks were formerly possessed by the Incas, sovereigns 

 in former days of that country, and by other wealthy inhabitants 

 of it. The climate of the districts in which this animal flourishes, 

 is described by Mr. Walton as follows : 



' The woolly natives possess a hardiness of constitution, and a 

 peculiarity of structure, admirably well adapted to the nature of 

 their birthplace. There, during half the year, snow and hail fall 

 incessantly ; whilst in the higher regions, as before noticed, nearly 

 every night the thermometer falls below the freezing point, anil 

 the peaks, consequently, are constantly covered with an accumu- 

 lation of ice. The wet season succeeds,' &c. 



On the applicability of the alpaca to our soil and circumstances, 

 we quote the following remarks : 



' The hardy nature and contented disposition of the alpaca cause 

 |it to adapt itself to almost any soil or situation, provided the heat 

 lis not oppressive, and the air is pure. The best proof of its har- 

 diness is its power to endure cold, damp, hunger, and thirst — vi- 

 cissitudes to which it is constantly exposed on its native moun- 

 tains ; while its gentle and docile qualities are evinced in its gene- 

 ral habits of affection towards its keeper. No animal in the crea- 

 tion is less affected by the changes of climate and food, nor is there 

 any one to be found more easily domiciliated than this. It fares 

 well while feeding below the snowy mantle which envelops the 

 'summits, and for several months in the year clothes the sides of 

 the Andes. It ascends the rugged and rarely trodden mountain 

 path, with perfect safety ; sometimes climbing the slippery crag 

 in search of food, and at others instinctively seeking it on the 

 heath, or in rocky dells shattered by the wintry storm j at the 

 same time that, when descending, it habituates itself to the wet 

 md dreary ranges on the lowlands, so long as it is not exposed to 

 the intense rays of the sun. 



' Many of our northern hills would try the constitution of any 



