LLAMAS. 
4i7 
creature, with comparatively short hair falling but little below the lower line of 
the body. It was bred by the ancient Peruvians mainly as a beast of burden, or 
for riding, and was chiefly characteristic of the southern portion of Peru, where, 
before the Spanish conquest, enormous numbers of these animals were kept. The 
introduction of horses and mules has, however, gradually led to the displacement 
of the llama as a beast of burden. When, however, llamas and alpacas were the 
only domesticated Ungulates in South America, their importance to the Peruvians 
was fully as great as is that of the reindeer to the modern Laplander, since between 
them they not only did all the carrying work of the country, but likewise supplied 
their masters with wool and flesh. The complete distinction between llamas and 
alpacas from as far back as tradition or records extend, coupled with the extreme 
antiquity of the Peruvian civilisation, indicates that the domestication of the 
wild guanaco must in all probability have taken place at a very early period. As 
showing the security of the country it may be mentioned that, soon after the 
Spanish conquest, it was not uncommon to meet droves of from three hundred to five 
hundred or even one thousand llamas, each laden with silver ingots, and the whole 
in charge of a single native. Such droves slept in the open fields without the 
slightest danger from loss by robbers. Only the male llamas were used as beasts 
of burden, while the smaller females were kept for their milk and flesh. In travel¬ 
ling along the roads the droves marched in single file, under the guidance of a 
leader; and such a line would traverse the highest passes of the Cordillera, and 
skirt the most stupendous precipices with perfect safety. When not in active use, the 
herds of llamas were kept on the higher mountain-pastures, where they would often 
temporarily associate with wild guanacos. The Spanish conquerors of Peru spoke of 
llama-flesh as being fully equal to the best mutton, and they established in the towns 
shops for its regular sale. At the period of the conquest it is estimated that upwards 
of three hundred thousand llamas were employed in the transport of the product of 
the mines of Potosi alone. Llamas produce only one offspring at a time, so that 
their rate of increase is not very rapid. Usually the young are suckled by the 
mother for about four months, but in one race the period is longer; and it is stated 
that the young of two successive seasons may not unfrequently be seen suckling at 
the same time. 
The alpaca ( L . pacos) is a considerably smaller animal than the 
llama, and is bred for the sake of its wool, which is of great fineness 
and length, reaching in some specimens almost to the ground. The usual colour 
of the wool is very dark brown or black. In regard to the origin of the alpaca, 
Mr. Thomas has come to the conclusion that the old view of the vicunia being the 
parent-stock is untenable, and that we must look to the guanaco as the true 
ancestor. He observes, for instance, that the size of the alpaca, “ although less than 
that of the llama, is far greater than that of the vicunia. Its skull and teeth 
wholly agree with those of the former, and the naked patches on the legs, so 
distinctive of the guanaco as compared with the vicunia, are very often, although 
not always, present, the exceptions being easily explainable in the case of an animal 
bred and selected for generations solely with an eye to the thickness and extent of 
its furry ce ring. The occasional growth of the fur over the naked patches is 
not therefore to be wondered at. The probabilities also are much in favour of the 
vol. 11.—27 
