102 THE CAMEL. 



camel-singers when the drivers cannot chant.' 

 Hammer- Purgstall, it will be observed, does not 

 mention instrumental music as employed for this 

 purpose. 



By long familiarity and close observation, the 

 Arab acquires a wonderfully minute acquaint- 

 ance, not only with the general characteristics of 

 the camel, but with the physical peculiarities 

 which distinguish his particular beasts. Thus 

 Burckhardt says they readily trace an estray by 

 his track, and every wanderer in the desert sees 

 daily proofs of a power which they possess in 

 common with other tribes, whose life depends 

 on a thorough knowledge of particulars, that 

 among civilized nations are regarded as unim- 

 portant. That most admirable traveller, Layard, 

 whose knowledge of the character and habits 

 of the Arabs and other races that compose the 

 population of the Turkish empire is unrivalled, 

 affirms that the Bedouin, from marks left by the 

 camel, will tell whether he was loaded or un- 

 loaded, full or hungry, fatigued or fresh, the time 

 of his passing, whether the rider was an inhabi- 

 tant of the desert or the town, a friend or a foe, 

 and sometimes even his tribe. " My deloul," 

 adds, he " has even been led by my guide, that 

 those who might cross our path might not detect 

 that it was ridden by one not thoroughly accus- 

 tomed to the management of the animal." 



