GUANACO. 247 



mal. Its general colour is tawny above and white 

 below. In summer it inhabits the tops of the 

 mountains, but in winter descends into the vallies. 

 It runs with extreme swiftness, and from the 

 length of its hind legs, prefers descending the 

 hills, which it does by leaps and bounds, in the 

 manner of a buck. When young it is said to be 

 hunted with dogs, and when old to be chased on 

 swift horses, and caught with nooses dextrously 

 thrown. The flesh of the young animals is said 

 to be excellent ; and that of the old is preserved 

 with salt. 



I must here observe, that the figure published 

 by Mr. Schreber, under the title of Camelus Hu- 

 anacus, contradicts the specific character given 

 by Molina and others, having a pendent tail in- 

 stead of an elevated one. The figure is evidently 

 copied from Gesner, who calls the animal by the 

 name of Ailo-Camelus, and mentions it as having 

 been sent from South America into Europe, in the 

 year 1558, and called an Indian Sheep. It was 

 six feet high, and five in length : the neck w^as as 

 white as that of a swan ; tlie rest of the body red* 

 dish, or purplish ; and the feet shaped like those 

 of a Camel. This figure is introduced into the 

 present publication, together with a plate of the 

 Cervo-Camelus, of Johiistoii (which is generally 

 quoted by authors for the Glama), and to which 

 the first mentioned figure is evidently much 

 allied. 



Upon the whole, I cannot avoid expressing my 

 suspicion, that no great dependence is to be placed 



