GUANACO  , sometimes spelt Huanaca, the larger of the two

wild representatives in South America of the camel tribe; the other being the vicugna . The guanaco (Lama huanacus), which stands nearly 4 ft. at the shoulder, is an elegant creature, with gracefully curved neck and long slender legs, the hind-pair of the latter bearing two naked patches or callosities . The head and body are covered with long soft hair of a fawn colour above and almost pure white beneath . Guanaco are found throughout the southern half of South America, from Peru in the north to Cape Horn in the south, but occur in greatest abundance in Patagonia . They live in herds usually of from six to thirty, although these occasionally contain several hundreds, while solitary = while s are sometimes met . They are ex- Head of Guanaco. ceedingly timid, and therefore wary and difficult of approach; like many other ruminants, however, their curiosity sometimes overcomes their timidity, so as to bring them within range of the hunter's rifle . Their cry is peculiar, being something between the belling of a deer and the neigh of a horse . The chief enemies of the guanaco are the Patagonian Indians and the puma, as it forms the principal food of both . Its flesh is palatable although wanting in fat, while its skin forms the chief clothing material of the Patagonians . Guanaco are readily domesticated, and in this state become very bold and will attack man, striking him from behind with both knees . In the wild state they never defend themselves, and if approached from different points, according to the Indian fashion of hunting, get completely bewildered and fall an easy prey . They take readily to the water, and have been observed swimming from one island to another, while they have been seen drinking salt-water .

They have a

habit of depositing their droppings during successive days on the same spot—a habit appreciated by the Peruvian Indians, who use those deposits for fuel . Guanaco also have favourite localities in which to die, as appears from the great heaps of their bones found in particular spots .