298 THE LlAMA. 



Guanacos ; and they are only sought after for their fleece, 

 and the bezoar they produce. The method of taking them 

 proves their extreme timidity, or rather their weakness. The 

 hunters having driven the flock into a narrow passage, across 

 which they have stretched a rope about four feet from the 

 ground, with a number of pieces of linen or cloth hanging on 

 it, the animals are so intimidated at these rags agitated by 

 the wind, that they stop, and, crowding together in a heap, 

 the hunters kill great numbers of them with the greatest 

 ease ; but if there are any Guanacos among the flock, which 

 are less timid than the Pacos, they leap over the rope with 

 great agility. The example is immediately followed by the 

 whole flock, and they' escape the stratagem of their pursuers. 

 With respect to the domestic Pacos, they are used to carry 

 burdens, like the Llamas ; but, being smaller and weaker, 

 they carry much less weight. They are likewise of a more 

 stubborn nature ; and, when once they rest with their load, 

 they will suffer themselves to be cut to pieces sooner than 

 rise. The Indians have never made use of the milk of these 

 animals, as they have scarcely enough to supply their own 

 young. The great profit derived from their wool has induced 

 the Spaniards to endeavor to naturalize them in Europe : 

 they have transported them into Spain, in hopes to raise the 

 breed in that country ; but, the climate not agreeing with 

 their nature, not one of them lived. We are, nevertheless, 

 persuaded that these animals, w r hich are more valuable than 

 the Llamas, might thrive upon our mountains, especially 

 upon the Pyrenean. Those who brought them into Spain 

 did not consider that they can exist, even in Peru, only in 

 the cold regions ; that is, on the top of the highest moun- 

 tains ; that they are never to be found in the valleys, and 

 die if brought into hot countries ; that consequently, in order 

 to preserve them, they should be landed, not in Spain, but in 

 Scotland, and even in Norway, and with greater certainty at 

 the foot of the Pyrenean, Alpine, or other mountains, where 

 they might climb and attain to the region that most agrees 

 with their nature. 



