NATURAL HISTORY. 175 



Like a=; a mastiffe having: at a bay 



A salvage bull, whose cruell homes do threat 



Desperate daunger, if he them assay." SPENSER. 



The eye is shielded from the intense glare of light by a prominent 

 over-hanging brow, and by long eyelashes, and the nostrils are so 

 constructed as to be closed by the animal at pleasure, so as to keep 

 out the fine sand which is being continually driven by the wind. 



Its natural food consists, not of the meadow herbage and fat 

 pastures in which most of the ruminants delight, but of thorny 

 shrubs, date leaves, and the leaves and branches of the tamarisk ; 

 these, when it meets with them, together with dates, beans, and 

 cakes of barley, pounded by its master, constitute its supply of 

 food during the toilsome journey. 



Hence we see the utility of its strong incisors, its canine teeth, 

 and its canine-like molars, which enable it to browse on the coarsest 

 shrubs with ease ; while its long prehensible lip serves to draw the 

 twigs and leaves to its mouth, or to hold the tuft of herbage which 

 is undergoing mastication. 



These explanations with reference to the camel are equally applicable to 

 the dromedary- 



523. Why are tJie toes of the llama separated and pointed ? 



Because the llama is a mountaineer, cropping 

 the herbage of elevated ranges, but having 

 sometimes in its wanderings to cross barren 

 and heated tracts. 



Its foot, therefore, instead of having the toes 

 bound to one solid oval cushion, as in the case 

 of the camel, is distinguished by having the toes well separated, 

 each one being provided with a complete pad. 



This foot is remarkably well-adapted for holding on upon the 

 rough surfaces of precipices ; whilst it is also fitted for occasional 

 use upon heated and barren tracts. 



524. Why are numerous animals of the order ruminantia 

 provided with variously-shaped horns ? 



Ife is obvious that these organs are, with all the tribes, 



