68 South American Animals, fyc. 



constant companions of man. Such is the case in many parts 

 of South America, where the woolly goat prevails. It and the 

 dog are the constant, and often the only domesticated animals 

 that follow the aboriginal families up to the elevated regions 

 on the boundaries of perpetual snow, or down to the deep 

 valleys where the tropical sun, at certain seasons, burns up 

 the pasture. In both these extremes of temperature the 

 goat thrives, and what is still more singular, the quantity of 

 milk is not materially affected, which averages from forty to 

 fifty per cent, more than the ordinary goat. It is therefore 

 regarded as a most valuable addition to the family stock, and 

 often proves of a special benefit, by supplying nutriment for 

 infants when the milk of the parent has failed or has proved 

 insufficient. The hair of this goat is used by the natives in 

 the manufacture of carpets — " Alfombras." 



When we consider the superiority of the Peruvian Goat to 

 the ordinary one, both as to the quantity of milk it yields and 

 its peculiarly hardy character, it appears likely to prove a 

 desideratum to this colony for supplying families who reside 

 in the Stringy Bark Ranges, and other localities where grass is 

 scarce, with a substitute for the cow, as the former would 

 thrive where the latter would starve. It may therefore be 

 regarded as well worthy of attention to those interested in 

 supplementing and improving the domesticated animals of 

 the colony. 



On the boundaries of Peru and Ecuador a kind of sheep 

 exists, which is well-known for its fine long wool. The 

 fleece has some similarity to the merino, but the color, 

 instead of being white, is of a light bluish grey or leaden 

 hue. The animal is also smaller than the merino. The 

 colored wool of this sheep sells on the spot at about four 

 times the price of the ordinary white wool. This species 

 is by no means abundant, and as the colored wool is highly 

 esteemed for some manufactures, especially for the cloak 

 known as the " Poncho," it is retained within the limits of 

 the region where it is produced. The size and quality are 

 capable of great improvement, and might become a valuable 

 cross and improvement on the merino. It is well known 

 that in South America very little, if any, effort is made to 

 improve the breed of stock. Labor or expense is seldom 

 expended on any such objects, all being left to nature. It 

 appears, therefore, well worthy of being commended to the 

 attention of those who are anxious to improve and increase 

 the stock of this colony. That these colored sheep would 



