33-1 FLOCKS OF ALPACAS. 



loading, they always fondle and caress them affectionately. If, during 

 a journey, one of the llamas is fatigued and lies down, the arriero 

 kneels beside the animal, and addresses to it the most coaxing and 

 endearing expressions. But notwithstanding all the care and atten- 

 tion bestowed on them, many llamas perish on every journey to the 

 coast, as they are not able to bear the warm climate." 



When resting they make a peculiar humming noise, which, if it 

 proceed from a numerous flock and is heard at some distance, resembles 

 a concert of JMian harps. 



The flesh of the llama is spongy, and not agreeable in flavour: 

 Its wool is used in manufacturing coarse cloths. 



The Alpaca (Auchenia), or Paco, is smaller than the llama. It 

 measures only three feet three inches from the lower part of the hoof 

 to the top of the head, and to the shoulders two feet and a half. In 

 form it resembles the sheep, but has a longer neck and a more grace- 

 ful head. Its fleece is very long, in some parts four or five inches, 

 and exquisitely soft. Its colour is usually either white or black, but 

 in some few instances is speckled. Of its wool the Indians weave 

 their blankets. It is also exported to Europe, and especially to Eng- 

 land, in large quantities, though since the alpaca was naturalized in 

 Australia, through the patriotic exertions of Mr. Ledger, England has 

 begun to obtain a supply from her great and thriving colony.* 



The alpacas are kept in large flocks, which graze, throughout the 

 year, on the green and level heights, and are driven to the huts only 

 at shearing-time. Their shyness is very great, and at the approach 

 of a stranger they take to rapid flight. Their obstinacy is remark- 

 able. If one of these animals should be separated from the flock he 

 will throw himself on the ground, and neither force nor persuasion 

 will induce him to rise; he will frequently suffer the severest punish- 

 ment rather than go the way his driver wishes. Few animals seem 

 to stand in such urgent need of the companionship of their species, 



* It was introduced into England by the Earl of Derby in 1836. An alpaca factory, 

 covering eleven acres, was erected at Saltaire, near Shipley, Yorkshire, by Mr. Titus Salt, 

 in 1852, and is now the largest establishment of its kind in the world. 



