UNGULATA. 521 



only two toes, which are covered by an imperfect nail-like 

 hoof, covering no more than the upper surface of each toe. 

 The two hinder supplementary toes, which are generally pre- 

 sent in the Ruminants, are here altogether wanting ; and the 

 soles of the feet are covered by a callous horny integument 

 upon which the animal walks. The head in all the Camelida 

 is destitute of horns, and the nostrils can be closed at the will 

 of the animal. 



The true Camels are peculiar to Asia and Africa, and two 

 species are known, distinguished from one another by the 

 possession of a double or single adipose hump on the back. 

 The African or Arabian Camel ( Camelus Dromedarius) is often 

 called the Dromedary, and has only one hump on its back. 

 The two toes are united together by the callous sole ; and the 

 chest, shoulders, and knees are furnished with callous pads, 

 upon which they rest when they lie down. The hump is 

 almost entirely composed of fat, and appears to act as a kind 

 of reserve supply of food, as it is noticed to diminish much in 

 size upon long journeys. The Camel can likewise support a 

 very prolonged deprivation of water, as the paunch is furnished 

 with large cells, which the animal fills when it has access to 

 water, and then makes use of subsequently as occasion may 

 require. The structure of the Camel adapts it admirably for 

 locomotion in the sandy deserts of Arabia and Africa ; and as 

 it is very docile and good-tempered, it is almost exclusively 

 employed as a beast of burden in the countries in which it 

 occurs. 



The Bactrian Camel (C. Bactrianus) is distinguished by the 

 possession of two humps ; but in other respects it does not 

 differ from the Dromedary. The two species are said to 

 breed together, and the hybrid offspring is stated to be occa- 

 sionally fertile. The place of the Camels is taken in the New 

 World by the Llama^ and Alpaca, with two other nearly-allied 

 forms. These animals form the genus Auchenia, and are in 

 many respects similar to the true Camels. They are distin- 

 guished, however, by having no hump upon the back, and by 

 the fact that the sole of the foot is destitute of a callous pad. 

 The Llamas are chiefly found in Peru and Chili, and consider- 

 able doubt exists as to the number of species. They live in 

 flocks in mountainous regions, and are much smaller than the 

 Camels in size. The true Llama is kept as a domesticated 

 animal, and used as a beast of burden. The Alpaca is still 

 smaller than the Llama, and is not very unlike a sheep, having 

 a long woolly coat. It is partially domesticated, and the wool 

 is largely imported into Europe. 



