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THE LLAMA (Auchenia glama) AND ALPACA, OR 

 PACO,* (A. alpaca). 



Only two species of the genus Auchenia, peculiar to South 

 America, are now found wild, namely the huanaco or guanaco 

 (A. huanacus), and the vicugna (A. vicunna). They inhabit the 

 lofty Cordilleras, their range extending considerably below the 

 line of perpetual snow ; and it is remarkable that they do not 

 inhabit Quito, Santa F, Caraccas, &c., although the climate 

 of the mountains in those parts is like that of high Peru where 

 they live, and multiply abundantly. The llama and alpaca are 

 not found in a wild state, and are only known as beasts of 

 burden employed by the Peruvians. Hernandez speaks of 

 llamas in New Spain, Mexico, but there they are scarce, and 

 only kept as curiosities, and neither of the wild species extends 

 its range to that distance. Into Chili, the alpaca was probably 

 introduced, and it is the only species the country possesses. 



* In the Spanish settlements in South America, all the species of llama are 

 called Cameras de la tierra. Mr. W. Walton, who resided in those settlements, 

 also improperly calls them sheep, and thinks they might be advantageously 

 crossed with our native sheep to improve the wool. Notwithstanding his 

 mistaken notion of their specific relationship, he has written a valuable work 

 concerning them, but which does not appear to have been read or even to be 

 known to zoologists. It is entitled An Account of Peruvian Sheep, and of 

 Experiments made by the Spaniards to improve the Breeds. London, 1811. 



