ALPACA, or PACO (auchenia paco; see AUCHENIA), an animal of the same genus with the llama (q.v.), and so closely allied to it, that many naturalists regard it as a variety rather than a distinct species. It is remarkable for the length and fineness of the wool, which is of a silken texture, and of an uncommonly lustrous, almost metallic appearance. The A. is smaller than the llama; the legs and breast are destitute of callosi ties. In form, it somewhat resembles the sheep, but with a longer neck and more elegant head. It carries its long neck erect; its motions are free and active, its ordinary pace a rapid bounding canter. The eyes are very large and beautiful. The wool, if regularly shorn, is supposed to grow about 6 or 8 in. in a year; but if allowed to remain upon the animal for several years, attains a much greater length, sometimes even 30 in., and not unfrequenty 20. Its color varies; it is often yellowish brown; sometimes gray, or approaching to white; sometimes almost black.
The A. is a native of the Andes, from the equator to Terra del Fuego, but is most frequent on the highest mountains of Peru and Chili, almost on the borders of perpetual snow, congregating in flocks of one or two hundred. In a wild state it is very shy and vigilant; a sentinel on some elevated station gives notice of the approach of danger by snorting to alarm the flock. Alpacas seem instinctively to know when a storm is coming ou, and seek the most sheltered situation within their reach. Flocks, the property of the Peruvian Indians, are allowed to graze throughout the whole year on the elevated pastures, and are driven to the huts only at shearing-time. When one is separated from the rest, it throws itself on the ground, and neither kindness nor severity will induce it to rise and advance alone. It is only when brought to the Indian huts very young, that they can be domesticated so as to live without the companionship of the floek;.but then they become very bold and familiar. Their habits are remarkably cleanly.
The Indians have from time immemorial made blankets and ponchos or cloaks of A. wool. It is not quite fifty years since it became an article of commerce, but its use for the manufacture of shawls, coat-linings, cloth for warm climates, umbrellas, etc., has gradually increased, and more than 2,000,0001bs. are now annually imported into Britain. The credit of introducing and raising to its present magnitude the A. wool-manu facture in Britain, is due to Sir Titus Salt.
Attempts have been made to introduce the A. into Europe; but not yet with very satisfactory results. The only considerable flock known to exist is in the Pyrenees. There seems no reason, however, to doubt that the mountains of Wales and Scotland are suitable for this branch of husbandry; and it is to be hoped that enterprise such as has been directed to the manufacture of A. wool in Britain, will soon, and with equal suc cess, be directed to the production of it. There are probably not yet more than two or
three hundred alpacas in Britain, and these mostly in parks connected with the resi dences of noblemen and gentlemen, not in the situations for which they seem to be pecu liarly adapted. An attempt was made in 1821 to introduce the A. into the United States; a fund was raised, and, in 1857, a cargo of them was shipped to Baltimore, but the'result showed that they could not be acclimatized.
A. wool is straighter than that of the sheep, very strong in proportion to its thickness, and breaks little in combing. The fiber is small, and it is very soft, pliable, and elastic. —The flesh of the animal is said to be very wholesome and pleasant.
a Persian sultan, the second of the Seljukide dynasty, b. in Turkestan in 1028 or 1030. In 1053, lie ascended the throne of Khorassan, after he death of his father Daoud, and in 1063 he also succeeded his uncle. His first act was to unite the whole of his dominions in one vast monarchy. He next embraced Islamism, and it was on this occasion that he took the surname of Alp-Arslan (the lion-heart), his real name being Mohammed-Lhaz-ed-Dyn-Abou-Choudja. The caliph of Bagdad gave him the title of Adhad-eddin (defender of the faith), with this extreme honor—namely, that prayer should be made in his name. He had an excellent vizier, Nisam-al-Mulk, one of those lettered ornaments of early Mohammedanism. This vizier was the founder of all the colleges and academies iu the kingdom. While he directed the internal administration of affairs, A. made successfully. He suppressed revolts, and extended the northern boundaries of his dominion st In 1067 and 1068, he pursued the course of his conquests, carrying off the gates of the church of St. Basil at Cresarea, which were enriched with gold and pearls, and overthrowing the Greeks under Nicephorus Botoniates. In 1069, lie invaded Armenia and Georgia, at that time Christian kingdoms. The most remark able incident in this expedition was the blockade of the convent of Mariam-Nishin, situated on an island in the middle of a lake, and considered impregnable. An earth quake overthrew the walls during the siege, when it immediately surrendered. He next proceeded against the Greeks, who, under their brave emperor. Romanus IV., had thrice driven back tlic Turks beyond the Euphrates. In Aug., 1071, a bloody battle was fought near the fortress of Malaskerd, 'between the towns of Van and Erzeroum. A. gained the victory. The Greek emperor was taken prisoner, and only obtained his liberty by a ransom of £1,000,000. and an annual tribute ,of £160,000. Bather more than a year after this (Dec. 15, 1072), A. perished at Berzem in Turkestan by the poniard of Jussuf Cothuol, whom he had insulted. He was buried at .Nerve, in the tomb of his ancestors.