512 HISTORY OF 



which may be considered as the camel of the new world, is 

 eveiy way less than that of the old. This animal, like that de- 

 scribed ill the former chapter, stands high upon its legs, has a 

 long neck, a small head, and resembles the camel, not only in 



fiimilai-ities certainly warrant naturalists in classingc the camel and the 

 Jlama in the same genus, although they differ both iu size and form. Tliey 

 are cacli evidently fitted by natiu-e for the endurance of great hardsliips 

 and privations— the one amidst the sands of the desert, under a burning sun 

 — the other on the Avastes of some of the loftiest mountains of the world, 

 with a region of perpetual snow above them. The slight variations in their 

 conformation, such as that of the foot, are modifications of nature which fit 

 them for their respective localities. A habitation amongst tlie rocks would 

 be mechaidcally impossible for the camel ; wliilst the burning plains would 

 be as little suited to the Uama. But each is adapted to exist in a very iirid 

 and sterile region ; and their habits are created by their peculiar organi- 

 zation. 



In the gardens of the zoological Society, are two individuals of the llama 

 lamily, the brown and the white llama. 



The domestication of the llama, in his native regions, has doubtless had a 

 considerable effect in producing those differences of colour for which the 

 species is remarkable. These variations, and some other distinctions arising 

 not only out of the length and fineness of the wool, but also from dissimila- 

 rities of form, have led to a considerable contrarietyof opinion amongst na- 

 turalists, whether individuals of this family belong to different species, or 

 are varieties of the same. Tlie French naturalists seem generally to agree 

 Avith Buffon, in dividing the groupe into three species— the llama, the alpaca, 

 and the vigogna ;* but others adopting the description of Molina, add two 

 other species — the guanaco and the hueco. 



Llamas have been frequently brought to England within the last twenty 

 years, and have been exhibited in the menageries. His majesty had several 

 at Windsor, which were allowed to range in a paddock ; but they did 

 not long endure the climate. The individual described by Buffon as tho 

 vigogna, was more than a year in England, and lived for about the same 

 time iu France, It was remarkable that tliis animal never took any liquid 

 whatever, but its secretion of saliva must have been considerable, for it spat 

 upon all who approached it. The greatest number of llamas that were ever 

 brought over to Europe, at one time, was a herd that airived at Cadiz in 

 1808. It originally consisted of thirty-six individuals, including the sorta 

 called llamas, alpacas, and vigonias- They were brought from Lima in 

 Peru, and Conception in Chili, to Buenos Ayres, by slow journeys of two 

 or three leagues. They were fed on the road with potatoes, raaise, and liaj', 

 but when their supply of potatoes was exhausted, they became so consti- 

 pated, that it was necessary to afford them medical relief. Eleven only of 

 the number arrived at Cadiz, of which two died there. These animals M'ere 

 brought to Europe as a present from Godoy (the Prince of the Peace) to 

 the Empress Josephine ; but they arrived just at the period of his disgrace. 



• Thii division by BufTon is found in the Su)ipleracnt to his woilcs. He had rrevioiisly 7» 

 Cfisnizcd only Iwo species. 



