THE LAMA. 379 



as the camel of the new world, is every way less 

 than that of the old. This animal, like that des- 

 cribed in the former chapter, stands high upon 

 its legs, has a long neck, a small head, and re- 

 sembles the camel, not only in its natural mild- 

 ness, but its aptitude for servitude, its moderation 

 and its patience. The Americans early found 

 out its useful qualities, and availed themselves of 

 its labours : 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. 



Of these animals some are white, others black, 

 but they are mostly brown; its face resembles 

 that of the camel, and its height is about equal 

 to that of an ass. They are not found in the 

 ancient continent, but entirely belong to the 

 new ; nor are they spread over all America, but 

 are found chiefly upon those mountains that 

 stretch from New Spain to the Straits of Magel- 

 lan. They inhabit the highest regions of the 

 globe, and seem to require purer air than ani- 

 mals of a lower situation are found to enjoy. 

 Peru seems to be the place where they are found 

 in greatest plenty. In Mexico they are intro- 

 duced rather as curiosities than beasts of bur- 

 den ; but in Potosi, and other provinces of Peru, 

 they 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, in 

 the most rugged and dangerous ways, of carry- 

 ing burdens not exceeding a hundred weight, 



