DEAD CAMELS IN THE DESERT. 359 



In the desert, however, the exceedingly rapid eva- 

 poration, and the almost total absence of moisture in the 

 atmosphere, has the effect of arresting decomposition 

 and thus it comes to pass that the bodies of camels, 

 etc., which have fallen by the wayside, along the caravan 

 routes, are often found to retain their original appear- 

 ance for a great length of time the remains not un- 

 commonly, where there are no beasts of prey to devour 

 them, presenting the appearance of the animals stretched 

 upon the ground, and taking their natural repose, almost 

 exactly as in life. 



In the description given by Sir Samuel Baker of 

 his march across the Nubian Desert, there is a striking 

 picture of the scene presented at a desert watering 

 place known as El Moorahd, or "The Bitter Well," on 

 the caravan route between Korosko and Abu Hammed. 



"The valley" (he tells us) "was a 'valley of dry bones'. 

 Innumerable skeletons of camels lay in all directions: the 

 ships of the desert thus stranded on their voyage. Withered 

 heaps of parched skin and bone, lay here and there, in the 

 distinct forms in which the camels had breathed their last; 

 the dry desert air had converted the hide into a coffin. 

 There were no flies here, thus there were no worms to devour 

 the carcases, but the usual sextons were the crows, although 

 sometimes too few to perform their office." * 



Throughout this desert march of 230 miles, waterless 

 except at the point already indicated, the route is in 

 many places actually marked out by the bodies of 

 these poor, patient, and enduring creatures, for throughout 

 the route from Korosko, Sir Samuel Baker states, 

 " the skeletons of camels number about eight per mile, " 

 and for part of the way twice that number, while in 



* The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia, by Sir Samuel Baker, 1867, p. 10. 



