238 



THE VICUGNA. 



nence pr{3ve that, like its Arabian relative, it is intended for the pur- 

 pose of traversing vast deserts without needing refreshment on the way. 

 This species is spread througli Central Asia, Thibet, and China, and is 



domesticated through a 

 large portion of the 

 world. It is not so en- 

 during an animal as 

 the Arabian species, re- 

 quiring a fresh supply 

 of liquid eveiy three 

 days ; while the Ara- 

 bian Camel can exist 

 without water for five, 

 or even six, days. 



The height of the 

 Bactrian Camel is 

 rather more than that 

 of the Arabian spe- 

 cies, and its color is 

 generally brown, which 

 sometimes deepens into 

 sooty black, and some- 

 times fades into a dirty 

 white. 



The true Camels are 

 exclusively confined to 

 the Old World, but find 

 representatives in the New World in four acknowledged species of 

 the genus Llama. 



These animals are comparatively small in their dimensions, and pos- 

 sess no hump, so that they may be easily distinguished from the Camels. 

 Their hair is very woolly, and their countenance has a very sheep-like 

 expression, so that a full-haired Llama instantly reminds the spectator 

 of a long-legged, long-necked sheep. The feet of the Llamas are very 

 different from those of the camels, as their haunts are always found to 

 be upon rocky ground, and their feet must of necessity be accommodated 

 to the soil on which they are accustomed to tread. The toes of the 

 Llama are completely divided, and are each furnished with a rough 

 cushion beneath, and a strong, claw-like hoof above, so that the mem- 

 ber may take a firm hold of rocky and uneven ground. 



Four species of Llamas are now acknowledged — namely, the Vicugna, 

 the Guanaco, the Yamma, and the Alpaca. 



The Vicugna is found in the most elevated localities of Batavia and 

 Northern Chili, and is a very wild and untamable animal, having re- 



The Bactrian Camel {Camelus Bactridnus). 



