ZOOLOGY.
Under this head, the llama, referred to above, is introduced in Plate II. To shew the diversity of colour, the artist has copied two of these animals from the Peruvian painting by which the different engravings contained in this work are supplied. As they were brought to the Capital, Lima, from the mine territory, to be exhibited in an Indian procession, they are laden with bars of silver, in allusion to that circumstance. The natural history of this animal is too well known to need any particular mention in this place; but a few words may be offered relatively to the vicuna, another animal of the same species, which supplies the vicuna wool. To obtain this, the Indians hunt down and destroy these animals, insomuch, that it is probable the race will one day become extinct in Peru. If, as is confidently asserted by many intelligent natives of that country, the vicuna can, like the llama, be tamed and domesticated, flocks may be collected to open a new speculation to the cultivator, and to afford the prospect of great commercial benefits to the community.
