304 



The Living Animals of the World 



Baggage-camel. The pack-camel, it is interesting to note, has been introduced into Australia, 

 where it has proved invaluable in crossing the vast waterless deserts, on account of its power 

 to exist for long periods without drinking. 



The TRUE or ARABIAN CAMEL is found in a domesticated state in Africa and Asia, and, as 

 we have just indicated, belongs to the one-humped species. It is a long-limbed, short>haired 

 animal, standing as much a* 7 feet high. \s a wild animal it is extinct. Much mystery, 



indeed, surrounds the question of its origin. It 

 has been suggested that the Arabian camel, or 

 its immediate parent, may have sprung from an 

 Indian ancestor, and thence made its way through 

 Arabia and Syria into Northern Africa. 



Not only is the camel indispensable as a 

 beast of burden, but it is esteemed also for its 



(jRj hair, its flesh, bones, and milk. The hair is 



woven into cloth. In some parts of India the 

 bones are used instead of ivory for inlaid work. 

 The milk is unusually thick and rich, so much 

 so that it cannot be used for tea or coffee, as it 

 curdles when mixed with either. 



The camel is popularly supposed to be *. 

 very docile animal; but those who speak from 

 experience declare it to be stupid, surly, and 

 vicious to the last degree. It is, however, not 

 entirely void of understanding, and apparently 

 cherishes feelings of revenge, as the following 

 story shows : " A camel, working in an oil-mill, 

 was severely beaten by its driver. Perceiving 



that the camel had treasured up the injury, and was only waiting a favourable opportunity 

 for revenge, he kept a strict watch upon the animal. Time passed away ; the camel, perceiving 

 it was watched, was quiet and obedient, and the driver began to think the beating was 

 forgotten, when one night, after the lapse of several months, the man was sleeping on a 

 raised platform in the mill, whilst the camel, as is customary, was stabled in a corner. 

 Happening to awake, the driver observed by the bright moonlight that, when all was quiet, 

 the animal looked cautiously round, rose softly, and, stealing towards a spot where a bundle 

 of clothes and a bernous, thrown carelessly on the ground, resembled a sleeping figure, cast 

 itself with violence upon them, rolling with all its weight, and tearing them most viciously 

 with its teeth. Satisfied that revenge was complete, the camel was returning to its corner, 

 when the driver sat up and spoke. At the sound of his voice, perceiving the mistake it had 

 made, the animal was so mortified at the failure and discovery of its scheme, that it dashed 

 its head against the wall and died on the spot." 



It is said that when camels pass a mounted man in a narrow path they will turn their 

 heads suddenly round and endeavour to inflict a bite on the rider's arm or shoulder. This 

 is naturally much dreaded, as a camel's bite is particularly severe. 



Much care has been spent in the breeding of the camel. " In the Sahara Desert," says 

 Canon Tristram, " the Tourareg is as careful in the selection of his breeding mahari (a fine 

 race of the dromedary) as the Arab is in that of his horse. The pedigrees are handed down, 

 and many a dromedary can boast a genealogy far longer than the descendants of the Darley 

 Arabian" (page 202). 



THE BACTRIAN CAMEL. 



This species is often called the Dromedary ; but, as we have already remarked, this is an 

 error. The dromedary is a swift breed of the Arabian camel. The BACTRIAN CAMEL may be 



Photo l>y the Duchess of Bedford] [iroburn Alley. 



HEAD OF BACTRIAN CAMEL. 



The hair of this species is used to felt into material for tents. It 

 is longest on the top of the head, neck, humps, and parts of the 

 fore limbs. 



