AUCHEMA. MAMMALIA. 145 



camel is provided with an internal -apparatus, in which it can cany a supply of water 

 for ten or twelve clays ; and when this essential article of life runs short in the pas- 

 sage through the desert, the camel is sometimes killed to procure a scanty supply. 

 To enable him to move on a soft and sinking surface, the feet of the camel are like 

 broad and spreading cushions ; the nasal openings, closing at the will of the 

 animal, are admirably adapted for excluding the minute particles of sand ; and 

 his extreme temperance enables him to subsist for weeks on the thorny shrubs scatter- 

 ed over the desert, or a few dates or beans. The camel sees and hears well ; and 

 his sense of smell is so acute that it is said he can discover the presence of water at 

 the distance of two miles. He is trained to lie down when he receives his load 

 and to be unloaded ; but when overloaded he refuses to rise and is obstinate. 

 The general load is from three to four hundred weight, and with this weight he will 

 travel for weeks in places where no other animal could subsist Hence the camel, 

 from transferring the productions of the neighbouring countries across these arid 

 wastes, has been emphatically called the ship of the desert. To the wild Arab 

 the camel is what the rein-deer is to the Laplander, invaluable. He feeds on the 

 flesh and milk, makes clothes and tents of the hair, belts and sandals of the hide, 

 and even the dung furnishes him with fuel. 



Gen. 137. AUCHENIA, Illig. Lama, Cuv. Camelus, Lin. 



Incisors , canines J J, false molars J-J, molars |-| = 32. 

 Teeth resembling those of the camel ; muzzle little protube- 

 rant ; upper lip cleft ; neck slender ; eyes large ; ears long, 

 pointed, and moveable ; feet terminated by two toes furnish- 

 ed with little crooked nails, with a callous sole ; callosities on 

 the breast and knees ; tail short ; two mammae. 



A. glama, Desm. (Camelus glama, Lin.) Headlong; forehead 

 slightly protuberant, joining the face without sensible interrup- 

 tion j fur brownish, or variegated with white spots, composed of 

 long soft hair. Inhabits S. America Griff, iv. 57. 



Before the conquest of Peru the Lama was the only beast of burden employed by 

 the natives. It bears some external resemblance to the camel, but without the hun- 

 ches. The lama is capable of carrying a weight of 150 Ibs. and can travel with this 

 weight from sixteen to twenty miles a-day. 



The Guanaco of travellers, C. huanaca^ Shaw, &c. is perhaps a variety of this 

 species. It differs little but in being larger and the fur of a uniform chestnut 

 colour. 



A. paco, Desm. The Paco. Face elevated above the forehead, and 

 forming an angle with it j fur clear chestnut or gray, composed 

 of long, fine woolly hair. About the size of a stag, but lower 

 on its legs. Inhabits Peru. Mam. 426. 



A. vicugna, Desm. (Camelus vicugna, Lin.) The Vicugna. Smal- 

 ler than the preceding ; forehead projecting ; fur woolly and fine, 

 of medium length, of a clear brown fawn-colour above, and white 

 below. S. America. Griff. An. King. iv. 58. 



** Feet bisulcated CERVID.E, Smith. 

 Gen. 138. MOSCHUS, Lin. Cuv. Desm. 



Incisors f , canines J-J, molars |-f, = 34. Canines wanting 

 altogether in the females ; superior canines large in the 

 males ; ears long, pointed ; body slender ; feet with hoofs, 

 separated and enveloping the last phalanges ; tail very short ; 

 two inguinal mammae. 



VOL. I. K 



