'7io THE ALPACA. 



the death of thousands of Vicugnas, which are slain by various methods merely for the 

 sake of their coats. The color of the Vicugna is a nearly uniform brown, tinged with 

 yellow on the back, and fading into gray on the abdomen. Its height at the shoulder 

 is about two feet six inches. 



The GUANACO is spread over a very wide range of country ranging over the whole of 

 the temperate regions of Patagonia. The color of this species is a reddish-brown, the 

 ears and hind legs gray. The neck is long in comparison to the size of the body, and 

 the height at the shoulder is about three feet six inches. 



The Guanaco lives in herds varying in number from ten to thirty or forty, but is 

 sometimes seen in flocks of much greater numbers, resembling sheep, not only in their 

 gregarious habits, but in the implicit obedience with which they rely upon their leader. 

 Should they be deprived of his guardianship they become so bewildered that they run 

 aimlessly from spot to spot, and can be easily destroyed by experienced hunters. It 

 is a very wary and timid animal ; but like many creatures of similar disposition is pos- 

 sessed with so strong a feeling of curiosity that it can be attracted towards the hunter 

 if he lies down on the ground and kicks his feet in the air. Even the reports of his 

 rifle do not frighten the animals, who, says Darwin, consider them as part of the per- 

 formance. Still, it is a quick-sighted and wary animal, and if it perceives a human being 

 approaching its domicile, it sets up a shrill neighing scream, which is often the first 

 intimation of its presence. The whole herd then set off into a rapid canter along the 

 hill-side, and gain some elevated spot where they can feel themselves safe. 



The Guanaco, in common with the other species, is rather short-tempered, and has a 

 very unpleasant habit of displaying its anger by discharging a shower of half-digested 

 food and saliva over the offender. Formerly, this salival discharge was thought to be 

 acrid, and capable of raising blisters upon the human skin. This, however, is 

 fortunately not the case, although the assault is eminently disagreeable, on account of 

 the ill scent of the ejected liquid. In its. wild state the Guanaco seems to have little 

 or no idea of resistance, being easily held by a single dog until the hunter 

 can come up and make sure of his prize. But in domesticated life, it seems to 

 imbibe a spirit of combativeness, for it will kick with both hind legs and deliver 

 severe blows with the knees of those limbs. Among themselves, however, the males 

 fight desperately, the cause of combat being generally some favored and coveted 

 female. 



The Guanaco is wonderfully sure-footed upon rocky ground, and is also a good 

 swimmer, taking voluntarily to the water, and swimming from one island to another. 

 When near the sea, it will drink the salt water, and has often been observed in the act 

 of drinking the briny waters of certain salt springs. 



The YAMMA, or LLAMA is of a brown, or variegated color, and its legs are long and 

 slender. In former days, this animal was the only beast of burden which was pos- 

 sessed by the natives, and it was largely used by the Spaniards (who described it as a 

 sheep) for the same purpose. It is able to carry a weight of one hundred pounds, and 

 to traverse about fourteen or fifteen miles per diem. As a beast of burden, it is now 

 being rapidly supplanted by the ass, while the European sheep is gradually taking its 

 place as wool-bearer. The flesh of the Llama is dark and coarse, and is accordingly 

 held in bad repute. 



The ALPACA, or PACO is, together with the last animal, supposed by several zoologists 

 to be only a domesticated variety of the Guanaco. Its color is generally black, but is 

 often variegated with brown and white. The wool of this species is long, soft, silky, and 

 extremely valuable in the commercial world. A herd.of Llamas has been imported into 

 Australia, and seems to have succeeded remarkably well, the yield of wool having been 

 quite as rich as was hoped by the enterprising importer. It is a handsome and 3 

 gentle animal, and is only found in a domesticated state. 



