Vicuna

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

in zoology, the auchenia vicugna, a native of the most elevated localities of Bolivia and northern Chile. It is very wild, and has resisted all attempts to reduce it to a state of domestication. It is the smallest species of the genus, standing only about 30 inches at the shoulder. Coloration nearly unilion-brown, tinged with yellow on the back and gray on the abdomen. It is extremely active and sure-footed, and is seldom taken alive. In habit it somewhat resembles the chamois, as it lives in herds in the regions of perpetual snow. The soft, silky fur is in much request for making delicate fabrics, and many thousands of these animals are slaughtered annually for the sake of their skins. VICUÑA-MACKENNA, BENJAMIN, a Chilean historian; born in Santiago, Chile, in 1831. He was concerned in many revolutions, traveled extensively, and held many political positions. In 1870 he acted as war correspondent during the Franco-German War; later as correspondent of the "Mercurio" in VIELÉ Berlin and Paris. At the opening of the war with Peru he became editor of "El Nuevo Ferrocarril"; and after the conclusion of the war his description of it became well known for its impartiality. He wrote "The Siege of Chile in 1813"; (1849); "History of Santiago' (2vols. 1868); "Francisco Moyén; or, What the Inquisition in America Meant" (1868); several books on the mineral riches of Chile (1883); "Album of the Glory of Chile" (1883); "Dolores" (1883); "The Isles of Juan Fernandez (1884); "At a Gallop" (1885); "The War in Spain" (1887); and many others. He died in Santa Rosa del Colmo, Jan. 25, 1886.