I took a piece of deal lath, and touched it in the same way, but it seemed to take no notice of the application, except leaping on as before. A few more touches of the lath provoking no sound, I took the file, and again applied it lightly, when the scream was again emitted.—A. D. in Gardner's Chronicle.

The American Postal Micro-Cabinet Club.-In the July number, W. H. S. gives an analysis of 36 slides. Of the 90 slides which have so far passed through my hands in this Club, the subjects upon the same analysis show as follows: Botanical, 21 slides; geological, 4; chemical, 5; zoological, 14 entomological, 17; diatoms. 16; histological, 12; micro-photographs, 1. Total 90. The notes and remarks accompanping the slides convey a great deal of useful information.-C. M. VORCE.

OUR BOOK SHELF.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, VOL. I, 1867-1876. [8vo., pp. 283., plates, xxXVII.] Davenport, Iowa. Puplished by the Womans' Centennial Association, 1876. Price, $2.50.

We congratulate the academy on the appearance of this their first volume of Proceedings, which gives the result of a number of years of valuable investigation in various branches of science. In Archæology the discoveries of mound builders' relics, in 1875, almost within the city limits, have resulted in awakening considerable interst in this branch of science, and in the volume before us, there are no less than eleven papers on this subject. Our entomological friend, J. D. Putnam, contributes four papeis of interest on insects, principally the result of explorations in the western territories, and from Mr. Cresson, and Prof. Thomas, we find lists of Hymenoptera and Orthoptera, also collected by Mr. Putnam. There are two papers on Botany, one from Dr. Parry; two upon Conchology, one upon Geology, and four or five upon various topics in physical science. A Record of Proceedings is also given, with addresses, lists of donations to Museum and Library, Constitution, lists of members, &c.

The ladies of the Centennial Association took upon themselves the difficult part of supplying the funds neccessary to publish the work, which is almost wholly a home production, and a very creditable volume.

A MONTHLY JOURNAL

DEVOTED TO THE NATURAL SCIENCES.

VOL. II. DECEMBER, 1876.-No. 6.

The Alpaca in North America.

The Alpaca, Llama pacos of Cuvier, Auchenia alpaca of Illiger, is a species of a South American genus inhabiting the Andes, at elevations of 8,000 to 12,000 feet, from Peru southward. It is held by naturalists to be allied to the Camel, having many points of resemblance to that animal; and the larger species, the Llama, is actually used in carrying burdens of about 100 pounds weight, over rough and declivitous routes, at the rate of 10 to 15 miles per day. The head is camel-like, there is an accretion of fat instead of an actual hump on the back, and the feet are adapted to mountain travel rather than traversing desert sands, and they have callosities on the knees of the fore legs from their camellike habit of kneeling for burdens. The wild Guanaco (A. huanaco) is generally deemed identical with the domesticated Llama, though. some authorities have made it a distinct species. The Alpaca is smaller, and the Vicuna the smallest of this genus, about 30 inches to the shoulder, the larger species being about 3 feet at the shoulder, the head being carried about two feet higher.

The Alpaca is a domesticated species useful for its fleece especially, which is very fine and long, and for its flesh. Its period of gestation is II to r2 months, the young are weaned at six months, and are sufficiently mature for reproduction at two years.

Attempts have been made, during the past thirty years, to introduce them into this country, Europe and Australia. In 1844 the British Consul at Arica, Peru, sent sixteen to Queen Victoria. It aroused opposition to their exportation, and caused the enactment of more stringent

laws against their shipment from the Peruvian Coast. In the official reports on agriculture for 1857 it is stated that Hon. Daniel Webster, when Secretary of State, received several as a present from the Peruvian Government; and that in the early part of the winter of 1857 a cargo of Llamas and Alpacas were shipped to Baltimore for Guayaquil on speculation. Either these or others shipped about the same date were received in New York, (though the latter are reported as Llamas) kept till Spring and sold at less than $100 each, some of them subse quently going to Australia. In July 1868, a Mr. Ledger succeeded in evading the Peruvian restriction by taking a flock into the Argentine Provinces, then into Chili, and embarking them at Copiapo for Australia. Of 292 animals, (46 male and 38 female Alpacas, the remainder Llamas and few Vicunas) 276 were safely landed at Sidney, New South Wales. They were first sent to Liverpool, a point about 20 miles distant, and afterwards to Arthursleigh, a sheep-station. A winter of mismanagement had reduced their number to 200, but with better care they began to thrive, and at the end of 18 months they numbered 253.

The latest importation into this country was made by Hon. Francis Thomas, (since deceased) late minister to Peru, and formerly a member of Congress form Maryland. Mr. Thomas thus writes concerning them to the Commissioner of Agriculture, October 8, 1875: "The fiber of a fleece of twelve months' growth often exceeds fifteen inches in length, and the fleeces average from 7 pounds to 10 pounds each in weight. The animals live to the age of twenty, twenty-five and sometimes thirty years; are too large and bold to be worried by dogs, and are very docile and tractable. I think you will concur with me in the opinion that this experiment which I am conducting is well worth the expense which I have incurred, especially when we consider the public benefit which would accrue in case of my success." The illustration here given is from a photograph of several of the flock, in Frankville, Maryland.

The successful establishment of this race as a textile-producer in this country is by no means assured, but no effort should be spared to test its adaptation to some portion of the country. It is doutful if they can become acclimated east of the Missouri river, but the Rocky mountains afford a better promise of ultimate success.

J. R. DODGE.