The wonders of the animal kingdom. Exhibiting delineations of the most distinguished wild animals in the various menageries of this country / By Robert Huish.

  • Robert Huish
Date:
1830
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The wonders of the animal kingdom. Exhibiting delineations of the most distinguished wild animals in the various menageries of this country / By Robert Huish. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and mountains of Cusco, Potosi, and Tucuman; from which they descend to graze in the vallies, and it is there that they become the sport of the natives. The mode of entrapping these animals is rather curious, and exhibits a striking feature in their natural history. The hunters commence their operations by extending some cords across the places where the animals are likely to effect their escape; to these cords are attached, at stated distances, some tufts of cloth of different colours, which have the effect of so intimidating the animals, that tliey dare not attempt to overleap the barrier, which could not stand for a moment against their united force. The hunters then begin to make a great noise, and try to drive the animals towards some rocks which are too steep for them to ascend. The extreme timidity of the animal prevents it from turning its head towards its pursuers, and in tjiis state it is easily caught by the hinder legs, and it seldom happens that a single one of the wliole hei'd is allowed to escape. There is a law enacted, which punishes with a heavy penalty these unlimited massacres; but it is a law to which a very slight obedience is paid. In some instances, the hunters are satisfied with the fleeces of the animals, and, having shorn them, restore them to their liberty. From five hundred to a thousand fleeces are sometimes the fruit of these expeditions. If we refer to Augustin de Zarate, who in 1544 held the office of treasurer-general of Peru, we there find that the pacas, or alpacas, even at that early period, formed a part of the food of the natives, as their flesh was sold in the public .shambles in all parts of Peru where the animal was to be found. “ In those places,” he .says, “ where there is no snow, the natives are often in great distress for water, and in order to supply this deficiency, they fill the skins of sheep with water, which they load on the backs of living sheep, (it must be observed that he. calls llamas, sheep,) for these sheep of Peru are sufficiently large to serve as beasts of burthen. They have a great resemblance to the camel in their shape, although they have not the hump on the back like that animal. These .sheep are able to carry about a hundred pounds, and it was the custom of the Spaniards to ride them, as they travel with ease five or six leagues a day. When the animal is fatigued, it throws itself down upon the ground, and as, from its obstinate disposition, there are no means of making it get up, either by coercion or assistance, the load is then generally taken off. It frequently ha])pens, when the beast is tired and the rider urges him to proceed, that it turns its head round, and discharges its saliva into his face, which is of such a deleterious nature, that the most disagreeable consequences result from it. These animals are of great use and profit to their owners, the wool of them being exceedingly fine and good, especially of that species which are called ^jacas, or alpacas. The fleeces are very long, and very little expense is incurred in their keeping, as a few yams or a little maize will suffice them during the day, and water does not appear to be indispensable to their existence. Their flesh is as good as that of the sheep of Castile, and public shambles are now erected for the sale of their flesh.” In regard to the natural characteristics of the alpaca, it so nearly resembles the llama, that the same description will apply to both. In its state of nature few animals exhibit marks of greater strength or agility. The stag is scarcely more swift, or the goat or the chamois a better climber. All its shapes are delicate and strong, and there is a keenness in its look which is strongly indicative of the natural disposition of the animal. It is fonder of the northern than the southern side of the Andes; often climbing above the snowy tracks of the mountain, and appearing vigorous in proportion to the coldness of its situation. If the dogs surprise a single alpaca upon the plain, they ai-e generally successful; but if once the animal attains the rocky precipices of the mountain, the hunters are obliged to desist from their pursuit.