THE CAMEL. 329 



Description, &c. 



The names of camel and dromedary do not 

 apply to two distinct species, but only indicate 

 two varieties, the former of which has two pro- 

 tuberances upon its back, whereas the latter has 

 but one. 



The height of the camel is generally about six 

 feet, and the body is covered with dusky, or ash- 

 coloured hair. It has a short head, small ears, 

 and a long bending neck. It has a large callo- 

 sity at the bottom of the breast, one on each 

 knee, and one on the inside of each leg. The 

 feet are flat and tough, divided above, but not 

 quite through, which enable the animal to trace 

 the burning sands without being subject to sores 

 or chaps in the hoof. 



In many parts of the East these quadrupeds 

 are domesticated, and, in carrying heavy burdens 

 over the sandy deserts, suoply a place which 

 horses would not be able to fill. The sand seems 

 indeed their element, for 116 sooner do they quit 

 it, and touch the mud, than they can scarcely 

 keep upon their feet, and their constant stum- 

 bling in such situations is exceedingly dangerous. 

 Their capability of abstaining from drinking, 

 enables them to pass unwatered tracts of country 

 for seven, eight, or even fifteen days, without re- 

 quiring any liquid. They can discover water by 

 their scent at the distance of half a league, and, 

 after a long abstinence, will hasten towards it,-, 

 long before their drivers perceive where it lies. 

 They will travel many days, fed only with a few 



NO. VI I. 2 T 



