278 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



in patches. That long upper lip, however, when tlio 

 hot blast of the desert almost dries their mouth, plunges 

 into the sand, and finds momentary relief by getting 

 below the surface ; that long ungainly neck raises the 

 head so that the prominent eyes may see objects in the 

 far distance ; those nostrils are apertures to the most 

 acute organs of smell, by which they can even ascertain 

 that water is near ; those callous pads enable them to 

 kneel when they are to be laden or mounted ; and those 

 ugly humps are provisions of fat which supply them 

 with nourishment if, during their long journeys, there 

 is a scarcity of provisions. One of their most invalu- 

 able properties is the length of time which they can go 

 without drinking, owing to the large secretion of water 

 in their honeycomb stomach ; while, in times of intoler- 

 able privation, they may be killed, and so save their 

 masters from starvation. 



The camel has two humps, the dromedary one. The 

 last is the lightest and the swiftest, and is generally 

 chosen for riding, while the former carries the burdens. 

 High saddles are placed on their backs ; and it requires 

 either to be used to them, or to be particularly careful, 

 not to be half -killed at starting. The rider places 

 himself in the saddle while the animals are kneeling ; 

 and when they raise their hind-legs, which they do first 

 of all, they send the unprepared traveller forwards, and 

 his breath is almost taken out of him by the blow which 

 he receives upon his chest ; then as they get upon their 

 fore-legs they throw him back, so as to endanger his 

 spine. Then* pace is at first very disagreeable, being 

 so long and slouching ; but, generally speaking, they 

 are extremely docile and affectionate. They, however, 

 will not stir if they think they are overloaded ; and if 



