WOOL- AND FUR-BEARING ANIMALS 253 



VICUNA. The Vicuna (Fig. 199) is very inferior in size to either 

 the Llama or the Huanaco, standing about the height of an ordinary 

 Donkey. It does not enjoy such a wide range as the Huanaco, 

 being found in and around the region "of which Peru is the centre," 

 but ascends to higher altitudes and, therefore, colder regions. It has 

 a more or less light-brown coat, with white under-wool. The flesh 

 of the Vicuna is much esteemed, whilst the wool is of very fine 

 quality. 



LLAMA, It remains to be said that the Llama attains a height 

 of at least four feet at the shoulder, and, like its Old World repre- 

 sentatives, is capable of carrying a heavy load, and possesses great 

 powers of endurance as a beast of burden. This "American Camel," 

 as it may be designated, resembles those recently under review in 

 disposition, progressing as and when it pleases, exhibiting a sulky 

 temperament, and, beyond this, has a nasty habit of spitting in the 

 face of a person with whom it is not on the best terms. Those 

 visiting Zoological Gardens may have evidence of this if they 

 approach too close to the beast and annoy it in any way, and I have 

 myself seen visitors at the Gardens in Regent's Park who got more 

 than they bargained for when looking at the animals there located. 

 All the Llama family exhibit this curious habit. 



ALPACA. The Alpaca has a longer neck than the Llama, but it is 

 a smaller animal and more often bears brown or black wool. It 

 varies in colour like the Llama, and is sometimes wholly white, or 

 white marked with brown or black. The Alpaca carries its head 

 in an erect position, and although it thrives well in the country in 

 which it makes its native home, it does not succeed outside, as 

 although experiments have been made in Europe, and also in 

 Australia, all have failed. The famous Alpaca wool is yellowish- 

 brown, grey, white or black, and although it was used for many 

 years for various purposes, its real value and use was not made 

 manifest until machinery was invented by means of which the fibre 

 constituting it could be properly dealt with. Since that time the 

 demand for the wool has increased, until it is to-day responsible for 

 a very large industry. 



It is only during the important season of shearing that the 

 Alpacas are allowed to temporarily quit the high mountain table- 

 lands upon which they pasture. This process over, the animals 

 leave the valleys and are taken back to their fastnesses for the 

 greater part of the year. 



