CHAP. XIV. CAMEL, GIRAFFE. 187 



bull is considered by them the symbol of stupidity, 

 ^lian* pretends that " Ochus, King of Persia, 

 in order to afflict the Egyptians, slew the Apis, and 

 consecrating an ass in its stead, commanded them 

 to pay it divine honours ; " and even if not looked 

 upon with the same detestation at Memphis, as 

 at Lycopolis and Busiris, we may suppose (if 

 Elian's story be true) how fully the tyrant's in- 

 tention was gratified, by the substitution of this 

 animal for their God. 



Neither the mummies of the pig, hyrax, horse, 

 or ass, have been found in the tombs of Egypt. 



Camel, Giraffe, Oryx. 



Of the camel t, stag, giraffe, gazelle, and other 

 antelopes, I have already treated, t I have also 

 remarked the singular fact of the camel not being 

 represented in the hieroglyphics, either in domestic 

 scenes, or in subjects relating to religion. 



Though its flesh w^as forbidden to the Jews§, it 

 is probable that religious scruples did not prevent 

 the Egyptians from eating it ; and the modern in- 

 habitants, as well as the Arab tribes, delight in this 

 lio'ht and wholesome food. But the wisdom of for- 

 bidding so valuable an animal is evident, from the 

 great probability of its being killed when about to 

 die a natural death ; and the Arabs are so scrupu- 



* iElian, An. x. 28. 



f Vide Plin. viii. 18., of the Camel and Giraffe. ■ Vide Strabo, xvii. 

 533. 



t Vol. III. p. 24. 33. § Levit. xi. 4. 



