THE ALPACAS, 37 



THE ALPACAS, 



IN THE GARDENS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The Alpaca may be considered as intermediate between the llama and the vicuna, although, in many of 

 its characteristics, it is decidedly different from either of those animals. Unlike the llama, it has never 

 been reduced to that positive degree of tameness as to render it an animal of burthen, or of any other 

 Utility, with the exception of its wool, which, in point of quantity and fineness, far surpasses that of the 

 vicuna. In its constitution, the alpaca is far more robust than the llama, and possesses all the other 

 advantages which render the latter animal an object of so much interest with the natives of the country 

 where it is bred. 



The alpaca has been erroneously called the white llama, but a comparison of the two animals will 

 at once decide their difference. The alpaca is of a larger size, and far more muscular ; its forehead 

 is flat, and its fleece hangs down as low as its knees. It must also be taken into consideration that we 

 have no positive proof that the colour of the animal in the Zoological Gardens, which is designated as 

 the white llama, is its natural one, or that it be not the effect of mere accident ; at the same time we 

 are inclined to espouse the former opinion, as the alpaca which is in the collection of Mr. Womb- 

 well is white, and in every other respect resembles the white llama of the Zoological Society. 



It was at one time determined by some spirited individuals, to introduce the three species, the llama, 

 the vicuna, and the alpaca into Europe ; but, after various attempts, the naturalization of the animals to- 

 tally failed, arising either from a difference of climate, or the food not being congenial to their constitu- 

 tion. In the year 1808 a herd of these animals, which originally consisted of thirty-six, were landed 

 at Cadiz, as a present from the Prince of Peace to the Empress Josephine. They were brought from 

 Lima and Conception to Buenos Ayres, by slow and easy journies, never travelling more than two or 

 three leagues a day. Potatoes were their chief food, and when the supply of that root was exhausted, 

 recourse was had to maize and hay ; but the latter did not agree with the animals, and if medical 

 aid had not been applied, their death would have been the consequence. Out of the thirty-six 

 which were shipped at Buenos Ayres, eleven only reached the place of their destination, and two 

 of them died shortly after their arrival. The animals could not have arrived at a more unpropitious 

 period. The name of Godoy had become hateful to the people, and every thing connected with liim 

 was but the forerunner of its destruction. The alpacas were, therefore, to be thrown into the 

 sea, but the Governor of Cadiz interfered, and gave the animals in charge to an eminent naturalist, 

 who had a spacious zoological garden at San Lucar de Barremeda, in Andalusia. On the invasion of 

 the province by Marshal Soult, he took the animals under his care, and a celebrated French natu- 

 ralist, who was then with the army, paid the most minute attention to their habits, and took some 

 sketches of them, all of which were lost at the battle of Vittoria, The fact, however, was ascertained 

 by that naturalist, and has been repeated by several travellers, that the individuals of the different 

 species have the remarkable habit of depositing their dung in one particular spot, and it is this 

 singularity which betrays the herds to the hunters of the South American mountains. 



The alpacas are always found in considerable herds, and their chief retreat is amongst the rocks 



