222 



always in fiocks, and, like the goats, are seen feed- 

 ing on the tops of rocks. As soon as they perceive 

 a man they run off, taking their young with them. 

 The hunters, when they go in pursuit of them, en- 

 deavour to surround the mountains upon which they 

 are found, and by pressing them closer and closer^ 

 they at length collect the whole within a small com- 

 pass, when they encircle the spot with a rope, to 

 which they tie a great number of pieces of cloth. 

 The vicugnas, who are very timid, dare not pass this 

 cord, and easily fall into the hands of their pursuers, 

 who usually kill the whole of them. A3 the wool of 

 these animals is the chief inducement for hunting 

 them, instead of killing, it would, perhaps, be more 

 prudent merely to shear them, an operation which 

 might be repeatedly performed. Their numbers, 

 however, notwithstanding these massacres, do not 

 appear to be diminished, which induces me to believe 

 that they have more young at a birth than is generally 

 supposed. The inhabitants have never yet been able 

 to domesticate this useful animal, but I do not doubt 

 it will be effected, when the national industry, which is 

 beginning to exert itself, attains a greater degree of 

 activity. The vicugna is excellent game, and its flesh 

 is preferred to veal ^ it is used as a specific in cases 

 of the ophthalmy, by external application. The be- 

 zoar which is found in its stomach is in high re- 

 pute with those persons who have confidence in such 

 things. 



The chilihueque (camellus x\raucanus) was origi- 

 nally called hueque, but the Araucanians, with whom 

 this animal lived in a domestic state, in order to dis- 



