THE LLAMA. 297 



sides. These animals differ in color ; some are white, others 

 black, but most of them brown. 



These useful, and even necessary animals, are attended 

 with no expense to their masters ; for, as they are cloven- 

 footed, they do not require to be shod, nor do they require to 

 be housed, as their wool supplies them with a warm covering 1 . 

 Satisfied with a small portion of vegetables and grass, they 

 want neither corn nor hay to subsist them ; they are still 

 more moderate in what they drink, as their mouths are con- 

 tinually moistened with saliva, which they have in a greater 

 quantity than any other animal. The natives hunt the 

 Gruanacos, or wild Llama, for the sake of its fleece. The 

 dogs have much trouble to follow them ; and, if they do not 

 come up with them before they gain the rocks, both the hun- 

 ters and dogs are obliged to desist in their pursuit. 



The Pacos are a subordinate kind to the Llamas, much in 

 the same proportion as the ass is to the horse ; they are 

 smaller, and not so serviceable ; but their fleece is more use- 

 ful : their wool is fine and long, and is a sort of merchandize, 

 as valuable as silk. The natural color of the Pacos is that 

 of a dried rose-leaf, which is so fixed that it undergoes no 

 alteration under the hands of the manufacturers. They not 

 only make good gloves and stockings of this wool, but also 

 form it into quilts and carpets, which bring a higher price, 

 and exceed those of the Levant. 



The Pacos also resemble the Llamas in their form, except- 

 ing that their legs are shorter, and their muzzle thicker and 

 closer. They inhabit and climb over the highest parts of the 

 mountains. The snow and ice seem rather agreeable than 

 inconvenient to them. When wild, they keep together in 

 flocks, and run very swift ; and, as soon- as they perceive a 

 stranger, they take flight, driving their young before them. 

 The ancient monarchs of Peru rigorously prohibited the hunt- 

 ing of them, as they multiply but slowly ; but, since the 

 arrival of the Spaniards in these parts, their number is greatly 

 decreased, so that at present there are very few remaining. 

 The flesh of these animals is not so good as that of the 



