158 



THE CAMELS 



rate one hundred miles a day. In a caravan, from six hun- 

 dred to one thousand pounds weight is considered a fair 

 load. The finest camels bring a high price. To their 

 owners they have gaits which are as well defined as those 

 of horses, though to a novice the best gait is a tiresome 

 and nerve-racking series of jerks. The camel has all the 

 appearance of docility and meekness ; but in reality it is 

 an ill-tempered beast, as obstinate at times as the worst 



Fig. 138. — The Bactrian Camel. 



of mules. The young camels which I have seen are most 

 interesting little creatures and are about three feet high 

 when born. They attain their full growth in seventeen 

 years, and live for about fifty years. 



The two-humped or Bactrian camel is a native of Cen- 

 tral Asia (Fig. 138), and is equally valuable, long trains 

 being seen all over India, China, and neighboring coun- 

 tries, performing all the work of the modern railroad. 

 Every part of the camel is of use, from its milk to its hair, 



