FAMILY CAMELIDJE ; LLAMA. 



315 



FIG. 161 FOOT OF LLAMA. 



hump, and the want of water-cells in the stomach ; as also in 

 the conformation of the foot. This consists of two toes, com- 

 pletely divided, each with a rough cushion beneath, and provided 

 at the end with a strong short hoof ; the hoofs are pointed at the 

 tip, and hooked downwards somewhat like a claw. This form 



of the foot is as 

 completely adapted 

 to the natural habi- 

 tation of the animal, 

 as is that of the 

 Camel j for the 

 Llama is destined to 

 live among the rough 

 and rocky Cordille- 

 ras, the craggy sides 

 of which it traverses 

 with a free and fear- 

 less step, deriving great assistance in climbing from the hooked 

 form of its hoofs. There appear to be three species of these 

 animals, the Guanaco, Paco or Alpaca, and the Vicugna. The 

 first of these is the species which is commonly known, in subjec- 

 tion to Man,,as the domestic Llama. It still exists in a wild state, 

 however, on the highlands of Peru and Chili. In its domestic state, 

 the temper of the Llama is characterised by the same docility and 

 patient endurance as that of the Camel. At the time of the 

 Spanish invasion, it was the only beast of burden possessed by 

 the inhabitants of South America, and was kept in immense 

 numbers for the purposes of traffic, and also for food ; its skin, 

 also, was prepared as leather, and its wool spun and manufactured 

 into cloth. It was estimated that 300,000 were constantly 

 employed in the transport of the ore from the mines of Potosi 

 alone ; the ordinary load of each Llama was about 80 or lOOlbs. ; 

 and its rate of travelling with this burthen over rugged moun- 

 tain passes, was from 12 to 15 miles a day. At the present 

 time, however, the Horse, the Ass, and especially the Mule, 

 which have been introduced from Europe, have for the most 

 part superseded the Llama as beasts of burthen, though it is 



