THE CAMEL. 405 



arid districts rarely have any. In Nejed, they are not nearly 

 so numerous as in the rich plains of Syria and Mesopotamia. 

 In Hejaz, they become scarcer ; and thence towards Yemen 

 they become fewer still, both the climate and pasture there 

 bemg reckoned injurious to their health. The great heat of 

 Oman is also deemed unfavourable to them. In the district 

 of Gebel Shammar there are many encampments that possess 

 none ; in Medina they are not seen, and in Mecca there are 

 perhaps not more than sixty belonging to private individuals ; 

 so that the estimate of Burckhardt is perhaps correct, when 

 he affirms that, from Akaba to the shores of Hadramaut, 

 comprising the great chain of mountains and the western 

 plains towards the sea, the amount of horses is not more than 

 5000 or 6000 ; while the aggregate number in the whole 

 peninsula does not exceed 50,000, — a number far inferior to 

 what the same superficial extent in any other part of Asia or 

 Europe would furnish. The rich pastures are not only 

 stocked more abundantly, but likewise produce the finest and 

 most select race. The best Koheyls of the Khomse, or noble 

 breed, are found among the Aenezes and the Rowallas in 

 Nejed and the Hauran, towards the Euphrates. They are 

 not all of the most perfect or distinguished quality ; and per- 

 haps not above five or six in a whole tribe deserve the name 

 of first-rate in respect to size, bone, beauty, and action. But 

 still their numbers are considerable ; each of which may be 

 bought, if purchased in the desert, at from 150Z. to 200Z, 

 Taking the comparative excellence of the diflTerent races on 

 an average, Nejed is generally reckoned to produce the 

 noblest ; Hejaz, the handsomest ; Yemen, the most durable ; 

 Syria, the richest in colour ; Mesopotamia, the most quiet ; 

 Egypt, the swiftest ; Barbary, the most prolific ; Persia and 

 Kurdistan, the most warlike. 



The Camel. — This useful animal is esteemed by Eastern 

 nations one of the most precious gifts of Providence to man. 

 It seems formed and qualified by nature for a life of patient 

 drudgery. Justly has the Arab, to whose comfort and ac- 

 commodation it is indispensable, named it the Living Ship of 

 the Desert, as without it he could neither transport himself 

 nor his merchandise across those oceans of sand with which 

 his country is covered. Descriptions of its habits and uses 

 have been so often given, since the times of Aristotle and 

 Pliny, who have treated with remarkable accuracy of the 



