NEW YORK ZOOLOfilCAL PARK. 41 



two fine specimens (the ^iit of Captain John S. Barnes), one 

 of which will at all times be found regularly exhibited at 

 the Camel House, close by the Crotona (southwest) En- 

 trance. 



The Dromedary, or Single-Humped Camel, (Caiiielus dro- 

 rncdarhis), is a smaller animal than the preceding, of lighter 

 build, and therefore capable of much more speed in travel- 

 ling. This species never is clothed with long hair. 



Next to the Camel's House and corrals is the installation 

 for the nearest relatives of those species, — the Llamas, Gua- 

 nacos and other cameloids of South America. 



THE LLAMA HOUSE, No. 38. 



Situated near the Crotona Entrance. 



The arid regions of South America are inhabited by four 

 species of long-necked, long-haired, soft-footed animals, so 

 closely related to the camels of the Old World that thej^ are 

 called cameloids. There are four species. The llama and 

 alpaca are in a state of domestication, and are supposed to 

 have been derived from the wild guanaco and vicunia. All 

 of them might almost be described as small-sized, hump- 

 less camels ; and their tempers and mental traits are as odd 

 as their forms. 



The ordinary cameloid is a quiet and inoffensive creature; 

 but the exception is a rogue of rogues. It will bite with the 

 persistence of a bull-dog, and with its massive, chisel-like 

 lower incisors inflicts ugly wounds. At times a llama or 

 vicunia becomes actually insane, and seeks to destroy every 

 living creature within its reach. Regardless of punishment, 

 such creatures attack their keepers and their herd-mates, 

 spit upon visitors, and rage up and down their corrals in 

 mo.st absurd fashion. Occasionally such individuals require 

 to be completely isolated. 



The Llama, {Lania glaina). is the largest and strongest 

 member of the group. Its body is covered with a thick 

 mass of long, wavy hair of fine texture, which may be either 

 brown, white, white and brown, or almost black. The head 

 and legs are short-haired like those of the guanaco. From 

 time immemorial, this animal has been used as a beast of 

 burden, and in the Andes has played an important part in. 



