266 



as swift as possible, in order to hurl it with 

 more force, when he throws it at the animal he 

 has singled out, whom be is almost certain of 

 striking, frequently at more than three hundred 

 paces distance. In order to take the animal 

 alive, the sling must be thrown so dexterously, 

 as only to twist itself around the feet. The sua- 

 naco is naturally gentle, and readily becomes ac- 

 customed to a domestic state ; it can be tamed 

 to such a degree as to follow its master where- 

 ever he wishes. The meat, especially when the 

 animal is young, is excellent, and as good as veal; 

 that of the old ones is tougher, but is very good 

 when salted ; it keeps well on long voyages^ and 

 is often put up for the use of seamen. Very 

 good hats are made from the hair, and it may be 

 used in the manufacture of camlet. 



The giiemul, or huemul (equusbisulcus) is an 

 animal which I have classed with the horse^ al- 

 though it ought to form a separate genus, in 

 consequence of its hoofs being divided like those 

 of ruminating animals. Its teeth, and the 

 manner in which they are disposed, are precisely 

 like those of the horse ; but its size, hair, and 

 colour give it a greater resemblance to the ass, 

 w ith which it might readily be confounded, were 

 it not for the ears, which are short, straight, and 

 pointed like those of the horse. It also wants 

 the black stripe upon the back which is peculiar 

 to that species. The huemul is farther distin- 



