36 THE CAMEL 



is drinking the action of the muscular band opens the 

 orifice of the second cavity ; at the same time it directs 

 the water into it, and when the cells of this cavity are 

 full, the rest runs off into the cellular structure of the first 

 cavity. It would appear that camels, when accustomed 

 to journeys in which they are kept for an unusual 

 number of days without water, acquire the power of 

 dilating the cells so as to make them contain a more 

 than ordinary supply for their journey at least, such is 

 the account given by those who have been in Egypt.' 

 This power of dilatation I question very much, for the 

 fibre of which the cells are composed is not capable of 

 much expansion. The camel may be able on a special 

 occasion, such as above referred to, to blow himself out 

 (to use a vulgar but forcible expression) with an extra 

 gallon of water or so nothing more, and I doubt very 

 much whether the surplus will enable him to abstain 

 and endure any longer. After a long abstinence 

 the camel, if given the opportunity, will overdrink 

 himself; but we will postpone the discussion of this 

 important question to chapter vi., on ' Watering.' It is 

 utterly erroneous to suppose that these cells do not 

 require frequent replenishing. On the contrary, if you 

 wish to husband the animal's strength, never lose an 

 opportunity of watering him, and the oftener you water 

 him the better. This supply of water is a special 

 reserve, and, as in the case of the hump, do not draw 

 upon it until you are obliged to. 



I cannot leave this subject without quoting what 

 V.-S. Steel has written, and so clearly expressed himself 

 on ; but I am surprised that he does not even allude 

 to the cells of the reticulum, or second compartment, 



