28 ASPECTS OF TROPICAL NATURE 



journeying, or to rest for several hours. While reposing, they 

 utter a peculiar low tone, which at a distance, and when the 

 herd is large, resembles the sound of several ^olian harps. A 

 loaded herd of llamas traversing the high table-lands affords an 

 interesting spectacle. Slowly and stately they proceed, casting 

 inquisitive glances on every side. On seeing any strange object 

 which excites their fears, they immediately scatter in every 

 direction, and their poor drivers have great difficulty to re- 

 unite the herd." 



The Indians, who are very fond of these animals, decorate their 

 ears with ribbons, hang little bells about their necks, and always 

 caress them before placing the burthen on their back. When 

 one of them drops from fatigue, they kneel at its side and 

 strive to encourage it for further exertion by a profusion of 

 flattering epithets and gentle warnings. Yet, in spite of good 

 treatment, a number of llamas perish on the way to the coast or 

 to the forests, as they cannot stand the hot climate. 



The Huanacu is of a greater size than the llama, and resem- 

 bles it so much that it was supposed to be the wild variety until 

 Tschudi, in his "Fauna Peruana," pointed out the specific differ- 

 ences between both. The huanacu is of a larger size ; its fleece 

 is shorter and less fine ; its colour is brown, the under parts 

 being whitish — but varieties of colour are never observed, as 

 in the llama ; the face is blackish grey, lighter and almost 

 white about the lips. The huanacus generally live in small 

 troops of from five to seven. They are very shy, but when 

 caught young are easily tamed, though they always remain 

 spiteful, and can hardly ever be trained to carry burthens. 

 They are frequently met with in the European menageries, 

 where they pass under the name of llamas. 



The Alpaca is smaller than the llama, and resembles the 

 sheep ; but its neck is longer, and it has 

 a more elegantly formed head. The wool 

 is very long, soft, fine, and of a silky 

 lustre — sometimes quite white or black, 

 but often also variegated. On account 

 of its admirable qualities it fetches a 

 high price, and is extensively used in 

 The Alpaca. England; so that from 1835 to 1839, 



98,808 bales, weighing near 7,000,000 lbs., were imported 



