86 THE "camel" of the new world. 



dred and twenty-five pounds. If the load put upon him 

 exceed his strength, he lies down, and shows himself in- 

 flexible to force or persuasion until it is removed or light- 

 ened. His usefulness in the silver-mining districts cannot 

 be overestimated ; for he can carry the metal from the 

 mines in places of such abrupt descent that neither mules 

 nor asses can keep their footing. His abstemiousness is 

 remarkable ; and, unlike the Equidse, he will not feed 

 during the night. 



A flock of llamas journeying across the table-lands is, 

 according to Dr. Von Tschudi, a beautiful sight. They 

 proceed at a slow and measured pace, gazing eagerly in 

 every direction. When scared by any unusual object, the 

 flock separates, and scatters all round about, so that the 

 arrieros have no little difficulty in reassembling it. The 

 Indians are very fond of these animals. They adorn them 

 by tyin,'^ bows of ribbon to their ears, and hanging bells 

 round their necks ; and before loading, they always fondle 

 and caress them affectionately. If, in the course of the 

 journey, a llama grows fatigued and lies down, the arriero 

 kneels beside him, and addresses him with the most coax- 

 ing and endearing expressions. But in spite of all the 

 care and attention bestowed upon them, many llamas 

 perish on every journey to the coast, being unable to 

 endure a warm climate. 



When restmg, they give utterance to a curious humming 

 sound, which, when heard at a distance, and proceeding 

 from a numerous flock, resembles a concert of ^olian 

 harps. 



The flesh of the llama is flbrous in texture, and not 



