62 MEMOIR OP 



chuzo^ a sharp spear, and the others alight and strip 

 them, sometimes of the suet, and always of the 

 hide, at which operation they are very expert. 



" Among the Dogs, the otxjeros, or sheep-dogs, are 

 particularly deserving of notice ; because in this 

 country, where there ai-e no shepherds, they act in 

 their place, and take charge of the flocks. Early in 

 the morning, they drive them from the fold, conduct 

 them to the plain, accompany them the whole day, 

 keeping them united ; and when numerous they sur- 

 round the flock, defending them from birds of prey, 

 from wild dogs, and other beasts, even from man, 

 and every kind of injury. At sunset they conduct 

 the sheep back again to the fold, when they lay 

 themselves down upon the ground and sleep, and 

 pass the night in their watchful care over them. If 

 any of the young lambs lag behind, they carefully 

 take them up in their mouths, and carry them for a 

 time, returning again and again, if need be, until 

 none remain." 



Of the indigenous animals of South America, the 

 older naturalists were wont to assert, that they were 

 "an inferior dwarfish race." Azara combats this 

 opinion. Among other instances, he shows that his 

 Jaguar* may dispute the palm with the noblest, in 

 the attributes of bold ferocity and power. " One 

 day," he remarks, " when shooting on the plain, I 

 was told that one of these animals had just killed a 

 horse. I went instantly to the spot, and found he 

 had already commenced his repast. I did not see 

 * Filis onca, Lin. 



