THE DROMEDARY, LAMA. 



THE DROMEDARY 



Is common in Arabia, and all the northern parts of Africa, 

 from the Mediterranean Sea to the River Niger, and is 

 infinitely more numerous, and more generally diffused than 

 the camel : it is also much swifter, and is therefore chiefly 

 em ployed in business which requires dispatch. 



In Arabia, they are trained for running matches, and in 

 many places for carrying couriers, who can go above a 

 hundred miles a day on them, and that for nine or ten 

 days together, over burning and uninhabited deserts. They 

 require neither whip nor spur to quicken their pace, but 

 go freely, if gently treated ; and are much enlivened by 

 singing or the sound of the pipe, which gives them 

 spirits to pursue their journey. 



THE LAMA. 



THE Lama resembles the camel in the form of its body, 

 but is without the dorsal hunch : its head is small and well 

 shaped; its neck long, and very protuberant near the junc- 

 tion with the body : in its domestic state, its hair is short 

 and smooth; when wild, it is course and long, of a yellow- 

 ish colour ; a black line runs along the top of the back, 

 from the head to the tail. The tame ones vary in colour 

 white, grey, and russet, dispersed in spots. Its tail is 

 short ; its ears are four inches long ; its feet are cloven, 

 like those of the ox, and are armed behind with a spur, 

 by which the animal is enabled to support itself on rugged 

 and diflicult ground. The height of the Lama is about four 

 feet ; and its length, from the neck to the tail, six feet. 



They lie down to be loaded, and when weary, no blows 

 can excite them to quicken their pace. They neither 

 defend themselves with their feet nor their teeth. When 

 angry, they have no other method of revenging injuries, 

 but by spitting. They can throw out their saliva to the 

 distance of ten paces ; and if it fall on the skin it raises 

 an itching, accompanied with a slight inflammation. Their 

 flesh is eaten, and said to be as good as mutton. 



These animals are not found in the ancient continent, 

 but entirely belong to the new ; nor are they found spread 



