104 LEAVES FROM THE 



was so fond of his -wife that he ate her up on the passage 

 home, and arrived, consequently, in the best health and 

 spirits at Ley den, measuring about three feet in length. 



About the time of the siren's death there were hopes 

 that a young dromedary would make its appearance; 

 and, indeed, one had been born in the Regent's Park 

 pre"^dously. But in this last case the young creature 

 Avas stillborn, though its mother had bred it well. The 

 period of gestation is stated to be between eleven and 

 twelve months. 



Viewed with the eye of even a comparatively careless 

 observer, the camel presents one of the most complete 

 instances of design with relation to human wants. There 

 is not a part of its structure, from the bony framework of 

 the skeleton to the estemal hau- of its coat, that could 

 be omitted without injury to the wonderful work, or 

 improved. Those very parts which seem deformities are 

 absolutely necessary to its well being and destination, 

 and the hump and callosities become beauties Avhen 

 examined with reference to the exigencies of the animal, 

 and its condition as the slave of man. 



And here arises the question whether this hump and 

 these callosities are natural formations, or due to the 

 pressure of the loads with which the animal has for ages 

 been burdened, and to the weight of its body. The cal- 

 losities are seven in number, and upon these the pressure 

 of the body is thrown when the creature kneels down 

 and rises up. They have been observed upon a newly- 

 bom camel; but no child is born with corns on the toes 

 and feet, whatever fashion and tight shoes may have 

 done for its parent — at least I never heard of a baby 

 who came into the world with those excruciating afflic- 

 tions. Not that it may not be admitted, that in a long 

 course of years these marks of servitude, as they have 

 been termed, may have been more largely developed. 

 Dr. Walter Adam, in his paper on the osteology of the 



