eep than the
others. This arises from its bulkier shape, caused by its thick fleece
of long wool. The latter is soft, fine, and often five inches in
length; and, as is well known, has become an important article in the
manufacture of cloth. Its colour is usually either white or black,
though there are some of the alpacos speckled or spotted. Ponchos are
woven out of alpaco-wool by the Indians of the Andes.

The alpaco is a domesticated animal, like the llama, but it is not used
for carrying burdens. It is kept in large flocks, and regularly shorn
as sheep are. If one of the alpacos gets separated from the flock, it
will lie down and suffer itself to be beaten to death, rather than go
the way its driver wishes. You have, no doubt, sometimes seen a common
sheep exhibit similar obstinacy.

Of all the Peruvian sheep the vicuna is certainly the prettiest and most
graceful. It has more the form of the deer or antelope than of the
sheep, and its colour is so striking that it has obtained among the
Peruvians the name of the animal itself, _colour de vicuna_ (vicuna
colour). It is of a reddish yellow, not unlike that of our domestic red
cat, although the breast and under parts of the body are white. The
flesh of the vicuna is excellent eating, and its wool is of more value
than even that of the alpaco. Where a pound of the former sells for one
dollar--which is the usual price--the pound of alpaco will fetch only a
quarter of that sum. Hats and the finest fabrics can be woven from the
fleece of the vicuna, and the Incas used to clothe themselves in rich
stuffs manufactured from it. In the present day, the "ricos," or rich
proprietors of Peru, pride themselves in possessing ponchos of vicuna
wool.

The vicuna inhabits the high plains of the Andes, though, unlike the
guanaco, it rarely ventures up the rocky cliffs, as its hoofs are only
calculated for the soft turf of the plains. It roams about in larger
herds than the other--eighteen or twenty in the herd--and these are
usually females under the protection and guidance of one polygamous old
male. While feeding, the latter keeps watch over the flock, usually
posting himself at some distance, so that he may have a better
opportunity of seeing and hearing any danger that may approach. When
any is perceived, a shrill whistle from the leader and a quick stroke of
his hoof on the turf warn the flock; and all draw closely together, each
stretching out its head in the d