300 SOUTH AMERICA— THE ANDES REGIONS. 



its most original features in the intermediate regions, where the species, confined 

 to narrow areas, present sharp contrasts resulting from the varying environment. 



In the coast zone Tschudi enumerates only 2G species of mammals, the most 

 remarkable comprising the group of " American camels " (ai(che)n'a) — llama, 

 huanaco, alj)aca and vicuna. Of these the most celebrated is the llama, which 

 the Quichuas had domesticated from such a remote period that no representatives 

 of the species are anywhere found in the wild state. The llama is used almost 

 exclusively as a pack-animal, although it figures on the old potteries as a 

 mount. 



The male, which is alone employed, carries an average load of from 45 to 90 

 pounds, and covers a day's march of from 12 to 18 miles. The poorest fodder 

 suffices to nourish the llama, whose wool is woven into coarse fabrics. The 

 animal, which is extremely sensitive, requires to be treated with the utmost 

 kindness. The slightest blow, or even a harsh word, would cause it to lie down 

 by the wayside, and then neither prayer nor abuse would induce it to resume the 

 march. At dawn the llama turns to the east and salutes the sun with a low 

 bleating, " a sort of worship which was, perhaps, not without its influence on the 

 religious instincts of the Peruvians." * 



All the other species — vicuna, huanaco and alpaca — still run wild, although 

 perfectly successful attempts have been made to tame them. The fleece differs 

 greatly in value according to its texture, length and colour. The fur of the 

 huanaco is highly prized, and from the hair of the alpaca extrerael}^ light and 

 glossy fabrics are made. 



At the time of the Conquest the vicunas, which under the Incas were preserved 

 as game, roamed the upper regions in vast flocks. But the Spaniards spared 

 neither game nor hunter, and the pasturages were soon thinned. Thousands were 

 slaughtered for the sake of the brain alone, although they are still numerous 

 enough to be hunted by organised battues, as in the time of the Incas, who 

 regarded the vicuna as their exclusive property. But all the wild species must 

 soon disappear, exterminated by sportsmen, unless, like the llama, domesticated 

 for the service of man. 



Other fur-bearing animals range up to the neighbourhood of the snows, and 

 even beyond the snow-line. Such are the chinchilla and the viscacha, both 

 rodents, dwelling in the recesses of the rocks. The fur of the former is much 

 prized, while that of the latter, though thick and soft to the touch, commands 

 such a low price that hunters take little trouble to trap it. 



The fauna of the Montana comprises nearly all the species of the vast Brazilian 

 zone extending from the Orinoco to the Plate River. Of birds there are hundreds 

 of forms, all of which here find a suitable environment. On the Pacific slope there 

 are but few bird-forms, and some of these, such as the parrots, adapt themselves 

 to the changed surroundings, dwelling in the clefts of the rocks, so different from 

 their leafy homes in the Amazonian woodlands. One species in the Lima district 

 {commis riqm-ola) has even acquired troglodytic habits. 



* Philibert Germ'^in, Actes de la Société scientlfque du Chili, 1891. 



