1758 Animals of the Puna of Peru. 



Animals of the Puna of Peru. — " But poor and scanty as is the vegetation of the 

 Puna, the Animal Kingdom is there richly and beautifully represented. Those re- 

 gions are the native home of the great Mammalia which Peru possessed before horses 

 and black cattle were introduced, by the Spaniards. I allude to the llama and his con- 

 geners the alpaco, the huanacu, and the vicuna. On these interesting animals I will 

 subjoin a few observations. The two first are kept as domestic animals ; the llama 

 perfectly, and the alpaco partially tame. 



" The llama measures from the sole of the hoof to the top of the head, 4 feet 6 to 

 8 inches ; from the sole of the hoof to the shoulders, from 2 feet 11 inches to 3 feet. 

 The female is usually smaller and less strong than the male, but her wool is finer and 

 better. The colour is very various ; generally brown, with shades of yellow or black ; 

 frequently speckled, but very rarely quite white or black. The speckled brown llama 

 is in some districts called the moromoro. 



" The young llamas are left with the dam for about the space of a year, after which 

 time they are removed and placed with flocks. When about four years old, the males 

 and females are separated ; the former are trained to carry burdens, and the latter are 

 kept in the pastures of the level heights. Most of the flocks of llamas are reared in 

 the southern Puna provinces, viz. — Cuzco and Ayacucho ; and from thence they are 

 sent to the silver mines of North Peru. The price of a strong full-grown llama is from 

 three to four dollars ; but if purchased in flocks in the provinces above named, they 

 may be had for one and a half or two dollars each. Shortly after the conquest the 

 price of one of these animals was between eighteen and twenty ducats ; but the in- 

 crease of horses, males, and sheep, lowered their value. The burthen carried by the 

 llama should not exceed 125 lbs., and the animal is seldom laden with more than a 

 cwt. When the llama finds his burthen too heavy he lies down, and cannot be made 

 to rise until some portion of the weight is removed from his back. In the silver mines 

 the llamas are of the most important utility, as they frequently carry the metal from 

 the mines in places where the declivities are so steep that neither asses nor mules can 

 keep their footing. 



" The Indians frequently proceed with large flocks of llamas to the coast, to pro- 

 cure salt. Their daily journeys are short, never exceeding three or four leagues ; for 

 the animals will not feed during the night, and therefore they are allowed to graze as 

 they go, or to halt for a few hours at feeding-time. When resting they make a pecu- 

 liar humming noise, which, when proceeding from a numerous flock at a distance, is 

 like a number of iEolian harps sounding in concert. 



"A flock of laden llamas journeying over the table-lands is a beautiful sight. 

 They proceed at a slow and measured pace, gazing eagerly around on every side. 

 When any strange object scares them, the flock separates, and disperses in various di- 

 rections, and the arrieros have no little difficulty in reassembling them. The Indians 

 are very fond of these animals. They adorn them by tying bows of ribbon to their 

 ears, and hanging bells round their necks ; and before loading, they always fondle and 

 caress them affectionately. If during a journey, one of the llamas is fatigued and lies 

 down, the arriero kneels beside the animal, and addresses to it the most coaxing and 

 endearing expressions. But notwithstanding all the care and attention bestowed on 

 them, many llamas perish on every journey to the coast, as they are not able to bear 

 the warm climate. 



" Some old travellers have stated that the Indians employ the llama for riding and 

 for draught ; but these accounts are quite erroneous. It sometimes happens that 



