THE STORY OF THE LLAMA. 
351 
tion. When scared by any unusual object, the flock separates and scatters 
all round about, so that the arrieros, as the caretakers are called, have no 
little difficulty in reassembling it. The Indians are very fond of these 
animals. They adorn them by tying bows of ribbon to their ears, and 
hanging bells around their necks; and before loading they always fondle and 
caress them affectionately. If, in the course of the journey, a llama grows 
fatigued and lies down, the arriero kneels beside it and addresses it with the 
A WHITE ALPACA. 
most coaxing and endearing expressions. But, in spite of all the care 
and. attention bestowed upon them, many llamas perish on every journey 
to the coast, being unable to endure a warm climate. 
When resting they give utterance to a curious humming sound, which, 
when heard at a distance, and proceeding from a numerous flock, resembles 
a concert of Aeolian harps. 
