ZOOLOGY. 



and even all other writers upon the subject. The Acalpa 

 seems to be an animal distinct from both the Lama and 

 Vicuna, and is perhaps nearly extinct, as it is said to be in- 

 capable of all domestication, and has been now entirely 

 hunted down by the Spaniards. 



The manner of taking the Vicuna is singular. The 

 animal seems to have the same dread of small waving ob- 

 jects, which most of the deer kind have. The Indians tic 

 together several cords with pieces of wool or cloth hanging 

 from them, across the narrow passes in the mountains about 

 three or four feet from the ground ; they then drive a herd 

 of these animals towards them, and they are so terrified by 

 the flutter of the rags, that they dare not go forward, but 

 huddle together and suffer themselves to be killed in great 

 numbers. 



The Acalpa is another animal of Peru, and smaller 

 than either the Lama or Vicuna; it appears not to have 

 been hitherto well described, which is a strong proof how 

 much yci remains to be cleared up, respecting the natural 

 history of that interesting region of the globe. It is credi- 

 bly reported that when the Spaniards first invaded America, 

 they found there several curious animals, which are now 

 either wholly anniliated by the increasing population of the 

 more solitary districts, or by the useless cruelty of their op- 

 pressors. Amongst these were several curious kinds of 

 Dogs and Cats, and which have been lately described in a 

 Spanish work upon the animals of Mexico and South Ame- 

 rica, that are now supposed to be entirely extinct. This 

 may not improbably shortly be the case with the Vicuna 

 and Lama, their place being so amply supplied by the 

 Horse and the Cow — animals more esteemed by all Euro- 

 peans for their usefulness and docility. 



