IJli HISTORY OF 



the ancient continent, but entirely belong to the new ; nor are 

 they found spread over all America, but are found chiefly upon 

 those mountairs that stretch from New Spain to the Straits of 

 Magellan. They inhabit the highest regions of the globe, and 

 seem to require purer air than animals of a lower situation are 

 found to enjoy. Peru seems to be the place where they are 

 found in greatest plenty. In Mexico they are introduced rather 

 as curiosities than beasts of burden ; but in Potosi, and other 

 provinces of Peru, they make the chief riches of the Indians 

 and Spaniards who rear them : their flesh is excellent food ; 

 their hair or rather wool, may be spun into beautiful clothing ; 

 and they are capable, in the most rugged and dangerous ways, of 

 carrying burdens not exceeding a hundred weight, with the great- 

 est safety. It is true, indeed, that they go but slowly, and sel- 

 dom above fifteen miles a-day ; their tread is heavy, but sure ; 

 they descend precipices, and find footing among the most craggy 

 rocks, where even men can scarcely accompany them : they are, 

 however, but feeble animals, and after four or five days labour 

 they are obliged to repose for a day or two. They are chiefly 

 used in canning the riches of the mines of Potosi ; and we are 

 told that there are above three hundred thousand of these ani- 

 mals in actual employ. 



This animal, as was said before, is above three feet high, and 

 the neck is three feet long, the head is small and well propor- 

 tioned, the eyes large, the nose long, the lips thick, the upper 

 divided, and the lower a little depending ; like all those animals 

 that feed upon grass, it wants the upper cutting teeth; the ears 

 are four inches long, and move with great agility ; the tail is 

 but five inches long, it is small, straight, and a little turned up 

 at the end ; it is cloven-footed like the ox, but it has a kind of 

 spear-like appendage behind, which assists it in moving over 

 precipices and rugged ways ; the wool on the back is short, but 

 long on the sides and the belly ; it resembles the camel in the 

 formation of the genital parts in the male, so that it makes urine 

 backwards ; it couples also in the same manner, and though it 

 finds much difficulty in the action, it is said to be much inclined 

 to venery. A whole day is often passed before this necessary 

 business can be completed, which is spent in growling, quarrel- 

 ing, and spitting at each-other ; they seldom produce above one 



