CAMELIDA 301 
the Vicugna being smaller, more slender in its proportions, and 
having a shorter head (Fig. 116) than the Guanaco (Fig. 117). 
It may therefore, according 
to the usual view of species, N A\ 
‘ 
be considered distinct. It 
lives in herds on the bleak 
and elevated parts of the 
mountain range bordering 
the region of perpetual 
snow, amidst rocks and 
precipices, occurring in 
various suitable localities 
throughout Peru, in the 
southern part of Ecuador, 
and as far south as the 
middle of Bolivia. Its 
manners very much re- 
semble those of the Chamois 
of the European Alps; and ; 
Vales wl a ee 
timid. The wool is ex- 
tremely delicate and soft, and highly valued for the purposes of 
weaving, but the quantity which each animal produces is not great. 
The Guanaco has an extensive geographical range, from the 
highlands of the Andean region of Ecuador and Peru to the open 
plains of Patagonia, and even the wooded islands of Tierra del 
Fuego. It constitutes the principal food of the Patagonian Indians, 
and its skin is invaluable to them, as furnishing the material out 
of which their long robes are constructed. It is about the size of 
a European Red Deer, and is an elegant animal, being possessed 
of a long, slender, gracefully curved neck and fine legs. Dr. 
Cunningham,! speaking from observation on wild animals, says :— 
“Tt is not easy to describe its general appearance, which combines 
some of the characters of a camel, a deer, and a goat. The body, 
deep at the breast but very small at the loins, is covered with long, 
soft, very fine hair, which on the upper parts is of a kind of fawn- 
colour, and beneath varies from a very pale yellow to the most 
beautiful snow-white. The head is provided with large ears, in 
general carried well back, and is covered with short grayish hair, 
which is darkest on the forehead. Occasionally the face is nearly 
black. Asa rule it lives in flocks of from half a dozen to several 
hundreds, but solitary individuals are now and then to be met with. 
They are very difficult to approach sufficiently near to admit of an 
easy shot, as they are extremely wary, but, on being disturbed, 
canter off at a pace which soon puts a safe distance between them 
1 Natural History of the Strait of Magellan, 1871. 
