382 HOOFED ANIMALS 



own decreasing vitality, and hence it would seek cover 

 under the bushes where its remains have been found. 



VICUNA (Lama vicunia). 

 Plate XL. Fig. i. 



The Vicuna, about two and a half feet high, is smaller 

 and of lighter build than the Guanaco, and its habitat is 

 more restricted, being chiefly in the region of which Peru is 

 the centre. It is generally found at greater and much 

 colder heights than the foregoing member of the Llama 

 family. Its coat is more or less light brown, with white 

 underwool. 



The Indians hunt the Vicuna for its flesh which is 

 excellent, and its wool, which is of remarkably fine quality. 

 The weapon employed is the bolas (see p. 129), which is 

 whirled round the hunter's head and then released, to go 

 with unerring aim at the flying animal, and entangle its 

 feet. In olden times as many as twenty thousand men 

 would engage in a grand drive over an area of twenty square 

 miles, when the bag would include not only hundreds of 

 Vicunas and Guanacos, but deer, bears, pumas, and other 

 animals. 



At one time it was made an offence to kill the Vicuna ; 

 hunters were to shear it, and then set it at liberty. Owing 

 to the wildness of the creature this was found impracticable, 

 with the result that continual hunting has greatly reduced 

 the number of the animals in this species. 



GROUP IV.SUINA. 



All the members of this group are non-ruminant, pig- 

 like animals, generally with four toes on each foot, although 

 there are exceptions in which the hind feet possess but three. 

 The teeth consist of two or three incisors, one canine, and 

 five or six molars on each side of the jaw. Though at least 

 one family is particularly numerous as to individuals, the 

 group includes but three existing types. 



