216 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS. 





great powers of endurance. The lightest and swiftest of 

 this sort are called dromedaries, and are used chiefly to 

 carry passengers. The flesh and milk of this animal are 

 used for food, and their hair is made into clothing, shawls, 

 and carpets. 



2. The camel has on each foot two toes, w r hich are 

 united and covered underneath by a sole or tough pad, 



which adapts it for 

 pressing upon the 

 sand, but would be 

 useless on rocky or 

 slippery ground. 

 " From time imme- 

 morial," says Figu- 

 ier, " the camel has 

 been the only means 

 of bearing commod- 

 ities across the des- 

 ert. By means of 



this patient and strong animal, merchandise finds its way 

 from the remote countries of Asia as far as the eastern con- 

 flnes of Europe. The rich products of Arabia, ages past, 

 were brought to Phoenicia on the backs of camels ; and in 

 our time, in the same way, merchandise is borne to Alexan- 

 dria, whence it is distributed over the European Continent. 



3. "The better to fit the camel for its arduous life, 

 the Arab trains it to do without sleep, and to suffer all the 

 extremes of hunger, thirst, and heat. A few days after 

 its birth its legs are bent under its stomach, and it is com- 

 pelled to remain crouched upon the ground laden with a 

 suitable weight, which is gradually increased with its age. 

 As it arrives at maturity its food is restricted and given at 

 longer intervals ; it is also practiced in running and en- 

 during severe exercise. 



The C'umei's loot. 



