172 
Quadrupeds. 
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 Ame- 
ricans, and are so capriciously vindictive, that, if their 
drivers strike them, they immediately squat down, and 
nothing but caresses can induce them to rise again. 
They Viave 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, aud 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 compo- 
sition of hats in several parts of the new and old con- 
tinent ; and the flesh of the young Llamas is, in their 
native country, considered a great delicacy, and is as 
good as that of the fat sheep of Castile. In Peru, where 
the animals are found, there are public shambles for the 
sale of their flesh. 
