70 ACCOUNT OF THE VICUNA, 



and this double flexure Is the effect of the natural structure 

 of the limbs, as in the camel, which I had nn opportunity 

 of studying in Egypt, and of examining from its birth to 

 its adult ai;e. It is not therefore the result of training. 



Feet. The feet of the vicuna are terminated by two, long, narrow, 



soft soles; and have much resemblance to the feet of young 

 camels. 



The outward figure of the head perfectly resembles that 



Ears. ^f ^ young camel, except in the ears, which are erect and 



smooth like those of a kanguroo. The neck, body, and 



Wool. Jimbs are similarly disposed ; and the body, like it, is covered 



with a fawncoloured, silky wool, but of extreme fineness. 

 From it may be made stuffs as soft and fine as the shawls of 

 Casiroire. This tufted fleece keeps the animal so warm, 

 that it .^eeks and prefers for Its habitation the summits of 

 mountains covered with snow. If the ears of this animal 

 were uniformly cut, it would exactly resemble a camel two 

 or three months old. 



Manners. The vicuna has the same cries as the camel, the same gait, 



and nearly the same disposition. It is extremely shy and 

 timid. It utters plaintive cries at the least unpleasant sen- 

 sations ; and when too much alarmed its eyes are filled with 

 tears. The very active movement of its tail and ears indi- 

 cate its different sensations. It is very gentlq and caressing 

 when tamed. 



The resemblance the vicuna bears to the camel in its ex- 

 ternal figure, internal stucture, and qualities, would lead 

 me to call n camelus parvus auribus rectus^ the little camel 

 with erect ears. 



The owner of the animal gave me the following account 

 of the Peruvian mode of hunting it. 



Mode of '^^'^ vicunas commonly inhabit the frozen summits of the 



hunting it. high mountains of the Cordilleras. Several of the inha- 

 bitants assemble together to hunt them. They first sur- 

 round the mountain where they are most numerous; and by 

 means of mournful cries, or the discordant sound of larg€ 

 wind instruments, as hunting horns, they terrify the animals, 

 who take flight to the summit of the mountain, where no 

 doubt they suppose themselves inaccessible. Here the hunt- 

 ers fgrm !^ line of circumvallation with stakes, on which are 



snail 



A little camel. 



