312 FAMILY CAMELID.E; CAMEL. 



latter in Arabia, North Africa, Syria, Persia, &c. The two- 

 humped Camel is larger and stronger, being capable of sustaining 



FIG. 160. BACTRIAN CAMEL. 



above 1000 Ibs. weight ; and is best adapted for rugged ground. 

 But the Arabian Camel is most fitted, by its great power of 

 enduring hunger and thirst, and by the patience of its disposition, 

 for traversing the desert plains, whose expanse of barren land 

 interposes a more effectual barrier between the districts it divides, 

 than that of the rolling ocean. Well, therefore, has the Camel, 

 which furnishes the only means of carrying on intercourse between 

 countries thus separated, been termed " the Ship of the Desert." 

 279. The elastic cushion, which extends between and 

 beneath the toes ( 254) of the Camel, spreads at each step, 

 according to the pressure made upon it, and thus atfbrds a iirm 

 footing even upon sand, unless this be extremely loose ; whilst 

 the callous skin with which it is covered, prevents the animal 

 from sustaining inconvenience from the heat of the surface on 

 which it treads. Similar callous surfaces are to be seen on the 

 chest, and on the joints of the fore and hind limbs ; and it is upon 



