QUADRUPEDS. 141 
THE LLAMA, OR CAMEL OF AMERICA, 
(Auchenia glama,) 
Is a mild, timorous creature, not above four feet and a 
half in height, and usually of a brown colour. It bears 
in form a general resemblance to the camel ; but, instead 
of a protuberance on the back, it has one on the breast. 
Llamas are used as beasts of burden by the South Ameri- 
cans, and are so capriciously vindictive, that, if their drivers 
strike them they immediately squat down, and nothing 
but caresses can humour them to rise again. They have 
been known to kill themselves by striking their heads 
against the ground in their rage, when by blows they have 
been urged forward against their will. They express 
their anger by spitting at their adversary. The Alpacas 
are much smaller than the Llamas, and of different colours 
in a domestic state. They are used for the same purposes, 
and differ little in habits and nature. The wool of both 
these animals is made use of for several purposes, and 
is a principal ingredient in the composition of hats, in 
several parts of the new and old continent ; and the flesh 
of the young Llamas is, in their native country, considered 
