262 



cord, and easily fall into the hands of their pur- 

 suerSj who usually kill the whole of them. As 

 the wool of these animals is the chief induce- 

 ment for hunting them;, instead of killing, it 

 would, perhaps, be more prudent merely to shear 

 them, an operation which might be repeatedly 

 performed. Their numbers, however, notwith- 

 standing these massacres, do not appear to be 

 diminished, which induces me to believe that 

 they have more young at a birth than is generally 

 supposed. The inhabitants have never yet been 

 able to domesticate this useful animal, but I do 

 not doubt it will be eflfected, when the national 

 industry, which is beginning to exert itself, at- 

 tains a greater degree of activity. The vicugna 

 is excellent game, and its flesh is preferred to 

 veal ; it is used as a specific in cases of the 

 ophthalmy, by external application. The be- 

 zoar which is found in its stomach is in high re- 

 pute with those persons who have confidence in 

 such things. 



The cMliliueque (camellus Araucanus) was 

 originally called hueque, but the Araucanians, 

 with whom this animal lived in a domestic state, in 

 order to distinguish it from the European sheep, 

 which has become very common since the arrival of 

 the Spaniards, gave it the name of chilihueque, 

 or rehueque ; which signifies the sheep of Chili. 

 This name is well applied to it ; for, excepting the 

 length of its neck and legs, it has considerable 

 resemblance to the sheep. The head of the chi- 



