168 THE STORY OF THE CAMEL. 



disposition which can scarcely be paralleled elsewhere among domesticated 

 animals. 



The best-known species is the true or Arabian camel, which is found both 

 in Africa and Asia, and is characterized by its single hump. It is a long- 

 limbed animal, with a comparatively short coat of hair, and soft feet, adapted 

 for walking on yielding sandy soil, and standing from about six feet eight 

 inches to seven feet in height. The head is comparatively short, with a long 

 and sloping muzzle, and convex forehead ; the eyes are large, with a soft expres- 

 sion ; and the small rounded ears are placed far back on the sides of the head. 

 The contour of the back rises from the setting on of the neck to the loins, and 

 then falls rapidly away to the tail. The hump, when the animal is in good 

 condition, stands upright, but it alters considerably in shape according to 

 age. The richer the food of the camel, the larger is its hump; while, when 

 the food is poor and dry, the hump decreases in size; and accordingly in 

 the rainy season this appendage attains its maximum development, while in 

 the dry months it proportionately shrinks. In high-conditioned animals, the 

 hump should form a regular pyramid, and occupy at least a quarter of the 

 whole length, but when the animals are half-starved it almost disappears. 

 The color of the hair is very variable, although a light sandy is the most 

 common hue; there are, however, white, gray, brown, and even totally black 

 camels; but those of the last-named color are held by the Arabs to be worth- 

 less. 



The food of the camel in its natural state probably consisted entirely of 

 branches and leaves of trees, and although grain is now largely given, a cer- 

 tain amount of green-food is absolutely essential to the animal's health. No 

 matter how thorny the boughs may be, they are quite acceptable tO' the 

 camel; and it is perfectly marvellous how the animals manage to eat such 

 food without injury to their mouths. On such a diet, or even on dates, 

 camels will do well ; but when compelled to work for days with little or no 

 food, they soon break down, as was disastrously shown in the expedition to 

 Khartum. 



The dromedary camel, called by the Arabs the "ship of the desert," be- 

 cause it serves to transport over an ocean of sand the commodities which the 

 nomadic tribes are forced to seek in distant countries, possesses all the requi- 

 sites for performing long journeys. Robust, docile and patient, it pursues its 

 course with a steady gait, browsing a little on its way, and not needing water 

 for three or four days. The elevated position of its head and its long neck 

 prevent its being suffocated by the sand of the desert; its eyes, defended by 



