150 



THE GENESEE FAEMER. 



THE ALPACA, A SPECIES OF LLAMA 



*'4:tli. Wild. — The targua, or taruca (Auchenia 

 tanica nobis.) A doubtful species^ respecting wliich 

 we require more precise information. It may be 

 the wild alpaca. Some zoologists consider that 

 there are only two really definite species, the 

 guanaco and the vicima." 



All the llama family are wool-bearing animals, 

 the fleece entering into the composition of fabrics 

 which pass, commercially, nnder the name of «7pa- 

 <?rt«. The coarsest is produced by the guanacn, or 

 llama, and the finest by the vicuna, that of the 

 alpaca being intermediate between the two former. 

 The llama is used extensively in some South Amer- 

 ican countries, as a beast of burthen, and is able to 

 carry from 150 to 200 pounds on its back, over 

 rough, momitaneous paths, where other animals 

 could not travel. Their flesh is sometimes used as 

 food for man, but is not considered very palatable, 

 even by those who have been accustomed to it. 



The object in introducing this animal into the 

 United States, seems to be chiefly the labor they 

 might ^perforin, and their wool. It is doubtful 

 whether we have any opening for them in the 

 former capacity — especially if the Arabian camel 

 succeeds as well as appearances and statements 

 seem to indicate, in the trials now going on in 

 transporting burthens across the country to Cali- 

 fornia, 



The llamas lately offered for sale at New York, 

 were thirty-eight in number — seventy-two having 

 been started from Peru last autunm, of which 

 thirty-four died on the way, or soon after landing 

 in this country. We learn from the IViiime that 

 the attempted sale by auction was unsuccessful, 

 only $96 per head being offered, which was con- 

 siderably below the demand of the owners. It is 

 stated, however, that a male and two females (the 

 latter supposed to be with young) were finally sold 

 at private sale to Mr. Cameeox, an Australian ship- 

 ping merchant, for $340. It is said they wUl be 

 forwarded by the first ship to Sydney. 



An impression prevails that the llama had not 

 been introduced into this country previously to the 

 late importation, above alluded to. This is a mis- 

 take, as specimens have frequently been brought 

 here, though no large number has arrived at one 

 tin>e. A gentleman in this vicinity now has several 

 — four or five, if we remember — which run in his 

 fields as quietly as cows, and we believe they have 

 bred here — at any rate, some of them have the 

 appearance of being quite young. They are kep-t 

 merely as a curiosity, and attract much attention 

 from passers-by. 



A few years ago, much discussion took place in 

 regard to the introduction of the alpaca into this 

 country. We are not aware, however, that any 

 were imported. Some have been introduced into 

 Great Britain, but as we have heard nothing from 

 them for some time, it is probable that they have 

 either died, or do not thrive in a manner to render 

 them objects of much consequence. The Earl of 

 Derby propagated them at Knowsley Park, and 

 they were tried in the Highlands of Scotland. 



The vicuna is described as a much smaller animal 

 than either the Uama or alpaca— though the latter 

 is too small to be used for carrying burthens. The 

 fleece of the vicuna is said to be as much superior 

 to that of the llama or alj)aca, as that of the Merino 

 sheep is to the English long-wooled breeds. The 

 wool is described as silky, and of extraordinary 

 fineness, the length being from an inch to three 

 inches. Yarn made from this wool sometimes sells 

 in England as high as three dollars a pound. Thou- 

 sands of these animals are every year killed for 

 their wool alone. If any of the llama family were 

 to be introduced here on account of their wool, this 

 would seem to be the species most desirable. It 

 should be stated, however, that the vicuna is sel- 

 dom domesticated. — Boston Cultivator. 



It is said that seed corn, smeared with tar and 

 sulphur, is less liable to injury from worms. 



