240 



THE YAMMA AND THE ALPACA. 



The Guanaco is wonderfully sure-footed upon rocky ground, and is 

 also a good swimmer, taking voluntarily to the water, and swimming 

 from one island to another. When near the sea it will drink the salt 

 water, and has often been observed in the act of drinking the briny 

 waters of certain salt springs. 



The Yamma, or Llama, is of a brown or variegated color, and its 

 legs are long and slender. In former days this animal was the 

 only beast of burden which was possessed by the natives, and it was 

 largely used by the Spaniards (who described it as a sheep) for the 

 same purpose. It is able to carry a weight of one hundred pounds, 



The Alpaca Llama {Llama Pacos). 



and to traverse about fourteen or fifteen miles per diem. As a beast 

 of burden it is now being rapidly supplanted by the ass, while the 

 European sheep is gradually taking its place as a wool-bearer. The 

 flesh of the Llama is dark and coarse, and is accordingly held in bad 

 repute. 



The Alpaca, or Paco, is, together with the last animal, supposed 

 by several zoologists to be only a domesticated variety of the Guanaco. 

 Its color is generally black, but is often variegated with brown and 

 white. The wool of this species is long, soft, silky, and extremely vab 

 uable in the commercial w^orld. 



HORSES. 



The Horse has from time immemorial been made the companion 

 and servant of man, and its original progenitors are unknown. It is 



