4io 



UNGULATES. 



this aversion doubtless indicating that the original home of the animal was in 

 desert lands. On this subject Sir Samuel Baker observes, that " a camel either 

 cannot or will not swim, unless it is supported by inflated skins ; thus the passage 

 of the broad river, Atbara (about 300 yards wide), is an affair of great difficulty. 

 Two water-skins are inflated, and attached to the camel by a band passed like 

 a girth beneath the belly. Thus arranged, a man sits upon its back, while one or 

 two swim by the side as guides. The current of the Atbara runs at a rapid rate ; 

 and the camel is generally carried at least half a mile down the river before it can 

 gain the opposite bank." 



The Bactrian camel (C. bactrianus), of Central Asia, is dis- 

 16l> tinguished from the Arabian species, not only by its double hump, 



THE BACTRIAN CAMEL (^j nat. size). 



but likewise by its inferior height, stouter and more clumsy build, shorter legs, 

 and harder and shorter feet, as well as by the greater length and abundance of the 

 hair. This animal is, indeed, in all respects, better adapted for a rocky and hilly 

 country than its southern congener ; its shorter and stouter limbs rendering it far 

 less liable to accidents in traversing precipitous ascents. The largest develop- 

 ment of hair occurs upon the top of the head, the neck and shoulders, the upper 

 part of the fore-limbs, and the humps. 



