Sol 



fine. The Peruvians keep numerous flocks of 

 p&coS;, Nvliose wool they employ in the manufac- 

 ture of several kinds of cloth^ which have the 

 hrilliancv of silk. But the paco is not found in 

 Chili either in a domestic or savage state. 



The vicugnas appear to be more particularly 

 attached to that part of the Andes which apper- 

 tains to the provinces of Copiapo and Coquimbo, 

 where they are found in the greatest numbers, 

 and inhabit the highest and more inaccessible 

 ridges of mountains perpetually covered with 

 ice and snow. This cold climate " seems to be 

 best adapted to their nature^ for all those which 

 the inhabitants have attempted to raise in the 

 plains have been attacked by a species of mange^ 

 which has soon destroyed them ; and it is most 

 probable owing to this cause that the methods 

 which have been hitherto used to transport this 

 animal to Europe have failed of success. The 

 vicugnas are always in flocks, and, lijce the goats, 

 are seen feeding on the tops of rocks. As soon 

 as they perceive a man they run offj taking their 

 young with them. The hunters, when they go 

 in pursuit of them, endeavour to surround the 

 mountains upon which they are found, and by 

 pressing them closer and closer, they at length 

 collect the whole within a small compass, wh^n 

 the}' encircle the spot with a rope, to which they 

 tie a great number of pieces of cloth. The vi- 

 cugnas, who are very timid, dare not pass this 



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