ARABIAN CAMF.I. 



rhem double their pace, and they drink as mueh 

 at once as serves them tor the time that is ( 

 and as mueh to come ; for their journey often 

 nil weeks, and their abstinence continues 

 an equal time. 



" In Turkey, Persia, Arabia, Egypt, llarhary, 

 ill the articles of merchandize arc carried by 

 Camels. Of all carriages it is the cheapest and 

 most expeditions. The merchants and other pas- 

 sengers unite in a caravan, to prevent the insults 

 and robberies of the Arabs. These caravans are 



11 very numerous, and are always composed of 

 more Camels than men. Each Camel is loaded 

 in proportion to his strength ; and when over- 

 loaded, he refuses to march, and continues lying 

 till his burthen is lightened. The large CamcU 

 generally carry a thousand, or even twelve hun- 

 dred pounds weight, and the smallest from six to 



n hundred. In these commercial traveU their 

 march is not hastened : as the route is often se- 

 ven or eight hundred leagues, their motions and 

 jonrnies arc regulated. They \\alk only, and 

 perform about from ten to twelve leagues each 

 day. Every night they arc unloaded, and al- 

 lo\ved to pasture at freedom. When in a rich 

 country or fertile meadow, they eat, in less than 

 an hour, as much as serves them to ruminate the 

 whole night, and to nourish them during twenty- 

 four hours. But they seldom meet with such pas- 

 tures; neither is this delicate food necessary for 

 them. They even seem to prefer wormwood, 

 thistles, nettles, broom, cassia, and other prickly 



