FAMILY CAMELIDjE ; CAMEL. 313 



these that the animal rests, when it takes its repose, or kneels 

 down to be loaded. These natural cushions are not produced 

 by the habit of kneeling, as some have supposed ; for the young 

 animal is born with them. The elevation of the Gamers head, 

 and the acuteness of its sight and smell, enable it to discern the 

 green oasis, and to scent the refreshing water, at a great distance. 

 The eye is shielded from the intense glare of light, by a prominent 

 overhanging brow, and by long eyelashes ; and the nostrils are 

 so constructed, as to be closed by the animal at pleasure, so as to 

 keep out the fine sand, which is continually being driven by the 

 wind. Its natural food consists, not of the meadow herbage and 

 rich pastures in which most of the Ruminants delight, but of 

 thorny shrubs, date-leaves, and the leaves and branches of the 

 tamarisk ; these, when it meets witli them, together with dates, 

 beans, and cakes of barley, provided by its master, constitute its 

 support during its toilsome journey. Hence, we see the utility 

 of its strong incisors, its canine teeth, and its canine-like molars, 

 which enable it to browse on the coarsest shrubs with ease ; 

 whilst its long prehensile lip, like the tongue of the Giraffe, 

 serves to draw the twigs and leaves to its mouth, or to hold the 

 tuft of herbage which is undergoing mastication. 



280. When the Camel is insufficiently provided with food, 

 its hump gradually diminishes in size ; this results from the 

 consumption of the fat of which it is composed ; which is used 

 up, when other materials are deficient, for the maintenance of 

 respiration, just like the thick layer of fat, with which 

 hybernating animals usually become covered during the autumn. 

 The Arabs are well aware of the importance of the hump : 

 and are solicitous about its state, when about to commence 

 a journey. When it has been much exhausted, three or four 

 months of repose and copious nourishment are required to restore 

 it to its usual condition. The peculiar construction of the Camel's 

 stomach enables it to dispense with a frequent supply of water, 

 a store of liquid being contained in the cells in its wall. The 

 degree in which it can sustain abstinence from fluid, depends, 

 however, in part upon the habit of the particular breed, and in 

 part upon the nature of its food. The Arabian Camel can dispense 



