18 
The alpacas (animals, with the llamas, allied to the camel tribe) 
introduced recently into this colony by Mr. Ledger, become one 
of the most important acts of acclimatisation that has happened 
in this or in any other country. 
Under difficulties of no ordinary kind—in the long, previous 
study of the habits and economy of these animals—suffering 
pecuniary and other losses—with the sacrifice of many valuable 
years of life, overcoming all difficulties, he ultimately succeeds in 
introducing a large flock of these valuable animals (together with 
their congeners — the llama, vicuna, and the guanaco), which will 
ultimately prove of the greatest importance to this colony. Such 
a spirit of enterprise raises a man, so bold, patient, and perse¬ 
vering, as a benefactor to mankind. 
From Mr. Ledger’s account, he has had a practical and inti¬ 
mate experience of these animal* for the last twenty-four years, 
and he considers the acclimatisation of the llama and the alpaca 
in Australia is now established beyond a doubt; and he also con¬ 
siders these animals adapted for the climate and capable oi sub¬ 
sisting oil the natural grasses of the country. 1 hey possess great 
hardiness of constitution, and actually require less food than the 
sheep. Mr. Ledger also remarks that, on one occasion in South 
America, the alpacas were twenty-two days without water. Phis 
happened in the desert of Atacama, on the coast, in the heat of 
summer; and on arriving at water they displayed a greater 
inclination to bathe in than to drink it. 
The meat of the alpaca is tender, wholesome, and savory. When 
of a proper age, and well fed, it is described as small-grained and 
rather mottled, the fat white and Arm, and when from three to 
four years old, of full flavour. It is not a greasy, but rather a 
juicy meat, and easily digested. The flesh of a full-grown one 
is more nutritious than that of the yearling although the latter 
♦ it x nrw i cnvourv. “ The hardy nature of the alpaca, 
is delicate and savouij. , '-. „ AT r * 3 
its extreme docility and gregarious habits, says Mr. Ledger, 
„ U ® to almost any soil or situation, provided 
causes itto a P ^ beat not too oppressive. It has the 
pow^eEU old, beat, dump, confinement, Lunger, „ nd 
tliirjt—vicissitude* to bTZ\°" iU 
, • . . vr n animal is l eSi > attectal uy the changes 
native mountains, aim f nrm A ^ 
tTprSl; the flit tales of wool sent dome und the report 
puces iu ... manufacturers of the article, were 
upon it from, the principal maim 
decidedly encouraging- 
