114 THE CAMEL. 



inches high, and perhaps two in diameter at 

 the base, covered with figured brass plate or 

 otherwise decorated, and terminating in a knob, 

 after the manner of the finial of a gothic pedi- 

 ment. Over the saddle is thrown a large pair of 

 saddle-bags of striped goat's-hair cloth, orna- 

 mented with fringes and cowrie shells, and upon 

 this are laid blankets, cushions, and carpets, and 

 perhaps a gay housing over all. The rider is 

 perched at the summit of this pyramid, directly 

 over or perhaps a little in advance of the hump ; 

 and his stirrups, if he uses them, his zemzemeek 

 or leather water-bottle, his gun, a smaller pair of 

 saddle-bags or a carpet-bag, or any other conve- 

 nience he may choose, (for there is room for all,) 

 are hung to the pommels. In riding the mahari, 

 however, the Tuaricks, and other wild tribes, sit 

 on, or rather in, a small saddle much in the form 

 of a bowl, placed in front of the hump, upon the 

 withers, and secured by girths. They hold a tight 

 rein, and steady themselves by crossing their 

 ankles on the camel's neck. The saddle used 

 for the dromedary in Nubia, according to Burck- 

 hardt, much resembles that of the horse. When 

 riding without a saddle, the Bedouin sits behind 

 the hump, and holds by the long hair which 

 decorates that appendage. This extreme sim- 

 plicity and economy of harness has, with trifling 

 modifications, been carried into the military ser- 



