MAMMALIA—LLAMA. 329 
somes entirely useless at fifteen. They are gentle and phlegmatic, and 
do every thing with the greatest leisure and caution. When they stop on 
their journeys, they bend their knees very cautiously, in order to lower their 
bodies without disordering their load. As soon as they hear their driver 
whistle, they rise up again with the same precaution, and proceed on their 
journey. They feed, as they go along, on the grass they meet with in their 
Way, but never eat in the night, making use of that time to ruminate. The 
llama sleeps, like the camel, with its feet folded under its belly, and rumi- 
nates in that posture. When overloaded or fatigued, it falls on its belly, and 
will not rise, though its driver strikes it with his utmost force. 
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Peru, according to Gregory de Bolivar, is the true and native country of 
the llamas; they are conducted into other provinces, as New Spain, &c. 
But this is rather for curiosity than utility. But in Peru, from Potosi to 
Caraccas, these animals are in great numbers, and 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 of carrying heavy loads in the most rugged and dangerous 
ways. The strongest of them will travel with two hundred or two hundred 
and fifty pounds weight on their backs. Their pace is but slow, and thexr 
journey is seldom above fifteen miles a day; but then they are sure, and 
descend precipices, and find footing among the most craggy rocks, where 
even men can scarcely accompany them. They commonly travel for five 
days together, when they are obliged to rest, which they do, of their own 
accord, for two or three days. They are chiefly employed in carrying the 
riches of the mines of Potosi. Bolivar affirms, that in his time above three 
hundred thousand of these animals were in actual employ. 
42. 
