440 



SOUTH AMERICA. 



quadrupeds, appears lo consist in 8 

 large gland placed immediately beneath 

 the skin on the middle of the loins. 

 These animals are extremely numerous 

 in all parts of South America. There 

 are 2 species ; the Collared Peccary 

 {Dicotyles To)-<7««/us) , and the White 

 lipped Peccary (D. laliiatus). The 

 former is the smallest of the two, seldom 

 measuring 3 feet in lenglli. The latter 

 not unfrequently reaches the length of 

 3 feet and a half. These animals sub- 

 sist for the most part on vegetable food, 

 chiefly roots ; and are said to be dex- 

 terous in destroying serpents. Their 

 peculiar grunt is heard at a considerable 

 distance. 



The Cahiai or Capibara [Hydro- 

 clmrus cubybara)^ is an amphibious 

 animal, living on fish, fruits, corn, and sugar- 

 canes, &c. It is of a reddish-brown color 

 and web-footed. It is quiet and gentle, and 

 seldom stirs out but at night. Its size is that 



The Peccary. 



The Cabiai, 



of a pig of 18 months' growth. It is common 

 The Llama (Camelus Glama), is about 4 

 and head, is 5 or 6 feet long ; its neck alone 



The TJnma 



in Guiana, Brazil, and all the low districts, 

 feet high ; its body, comprehending the neck 

 is near 3 feet. Peru is said to be the true 

 native country of the Llama ; they are con- 

 ducted into other provinces, but this is rather 

 for curiosity than utility ; but in Peru, from 

 Potosi to Caracoas, these animals are in great 

 numbers, and make the chief riches of the In- 

 dians and Spaniards, who rear them. Their 

 flesh is excellent food ; their hair, or rather 

 wool, may be spun into beautiful clothing ; and 

 they are capable of carrying heavy loads over 

 the most rugged and dangerous ways ; the 

 strongest of them will travel with 200 or 250 

 pounds' weight on their backs ; their pace is 

 but slow, and their journey is seldom above 15 

 miles a day ; but then they are sure, and de- 

 scend precipices and find footing among the 

 most craggy rocks, where even men can scarce- 

 ly accompany them ; they commonly travel for 

 5 days together, when they are obhged to rest, 

 which they do, of their own accord, for 2 or 

 3 days. They are chiefly employed in carry- 

 ing the riches of the mines cf Potosi. Bo!i- 



