THE ALPACA. 
5 T9 
The Guanaco is wonderfully sure-footed upon rocky ground, and is also a good swimmer, 
taking voluntarily to the water, and swimming JTom one island to another. When near the 
sea, it will drink the salt water, and has often been observed in the act of drinking the briny 
waters of certain salt springs. 
The Yamma, or Llama, is of a brown, or variegated color, and its legs are long and 
slender. In former days, this animal was the only beast of burden which was possessed by 
the natives, and it was largely used by the Spaniards (who described it as a sheep) for the 
same purpose. It is able to carry a weight of one hundred pounds, and to traverse about 
fourteen or. fifteen miles per diem. As a beast of burden, it is now being rapidly supplanted 
by the ass, while the European sheep is gradually taking its place as a wool-bearer. The flesh 
of the Llama is dark and coarse, and is accordingly held in bad repute. 
The Alpaca, or Paco, is, together with the last animal, supposed by several zoologists to 
be only a domesticated variety of the Guanaco. Its color is generally black, but is often 
variegated with brown and white. The wool of this species is long, soft, silky, and extremely 
valuable in the commercial world. A herd of Llamas has been imported into Australia, and 
seems to have succeeded remarkably well, the yield of wool having been quite as rich as was 
hoped by the enterprising importer. It is a handsome and a gentle animal* and is only found 
in a domesticated state. 
