THE LLAMA. 



PLATE XXXVII. 



Class Mammalia. Order Ruminantia : chewing the cud. 



Genus Camelus. Species Various. 



As almost all the quadrupeds of America are smaller than 

 the resembling ones of the ancient continent, so the Llama, 

 which may be considered as the camel of the new world, is 

 every way less than that of the old. This animal stands 

 high upon its legs, has a long neck, a small head, and resem- 

 bles the camel, not only in its natural mildness, but its apti- 

 tude for servitude, its moderation, and its patience. The 

 Americans early found out its useful qualities, and availed 

 themselves of ' its labors : like the camel, it serves to carry 

 goods over places inaccessible to other beasts of burden ; like 

 that, it is obedient to its driver ; and often dies under, but 

 never resists, his cruelty. 



It is very singular that, although the Llama and the Paco 

 are domesticated in Peru, Mexico, and Chili, as the horse is 

 in Europe, or the camel in Arabia, we scarcely know any 

 thing of them. Peru, according to Gregory de Bolivar, is the 

 true and native country of the Llamas ; they are conducted 

 into other provinces, as New Spain, &c., but this is rather for 

 curiosity than utility ; but in Peru, from Potosi to Caracas, 

 these animals are in great numbers, and make the chief riches 

 of the Indians and Spaniards, who rear them. Their flesh is 

 excellent food ; their hair, or rather wool, may be spun into 

 beautiful clothing ; and they are capable of carrying heavy 

 loads in the most rugged and dangerous ways ; the strongest 

 of them will travel with two hundred or two hundred and 

 fifty pounds weight on their backs ; their pace is but slow, 

 and their journey is seldom above fifteen miles a day ; but 

 then they are rare, and descend precipices, and find footing 



