122 PECULIARITIES OF THE CAMEL. 



they inhabit, are no less convincing proofs than their 

 instincts, of the Infinite Intelhgence that has adapted 

 theni exactly to that place which they are appointed 

 to fill in the ranks of creation. The camel is to the 

 Arab, what the rein-deer is to the Laplander : it is 

 his all — his treasure. These creatures supply food 

 and clothing to their possessors, besides their wonderful 

 powers of conveying their masters with gi-eat rapidity 

 to a vast distance. The camel is formed to traverse 

 extensive deserts of sand, where the thirsty traveller 

 often perishes from want of water : it is accordingly 

 provided with a peculiar resource against the calamity 

 to which it is so frequently exposed. Besides the 

 four stomachs which it has in common with other 

 ruminating animals, it has a fifth bag, in which water 

 is preserved without spoiling or mixing with the 

 other aliments. When the camel is on a journey, 

 and wants water to soften its food whilst ruminating, 

 it has only to contract this bag by means of certain 

 muscles, and as much water as is required passes 

 into its stomach. In consequence of this peculiar 

 formation, this valuable creature can take a prodigious 

 quantity of water at one draught, and can sustain life 

 for several days without drinking. They are, more- 

 over, endowed with the extraordinary property of dis- 

 covering water by their smell at half a league's dis- 

 tance ; and, after being some time deprived of it, will 



