*$i T HE CAME L 



In Turkey, Perfla, Arabia, Egypt, Barbary, 

 &c. all the articles of merchandize are carried 

 by camels *. Of all carriages, it is the cheap- 

 eft and mod expeditious. The merchants and 

 other paflengers unite in a caravan, to prevent 

 the infults and robberies of the Arabs. Thefe 

 caravans are often very numerous, and arc al- 

 ways compofed of more camels than men. Each 

 camel is loaded in proportion to his ftrength ; 

 and, when over-loaded f, he refufes to march, 

 and continues lying till his burden is lightened. 

 The large camels generally carry a thoufand, or 



even 



were large pools. Oar camels, which had parted nine days 

 without drink, fmelled the water at the diftance of half a 

 league. They inftantly began their hard trot, which is their 

 mode of running, and, entering the pools in troops, they firft 

 troubled the water, &c Taverjiier, torn. i. p. 202. 



* The camels are very commodious for carrying baggage 



and merchandize at a fmall expence.- -Their fteps, as well 



as their journeys, are regulated. -Their food is cheap; for 



they live on thirties, nettles, &c They fuffer drought 



two or three days ; Voyage d'Okarius, torn. l.p. 552. 



f When about to be loaded, at the command of their con- 

 ductor, they inrtantly bend their knees. If any of them difobey, 

 they areimmediatelyftruck with aftick, ortheirnecks are pulled 

 down; and then, as if conftrained, and complaining in their 

 cwn manner, they bend their knees, put their bellies on the 

 earth, and. remain in this pofture till they are loaded and 

 . deiired to rife. This is the origin of thofe large cal- 

 Joflties on the parts of their bellies, limbs, and knees, which 

 reft on the ground. If over-burdened, they give repeated 

 blows with theirheads to the perfon who oppreffes them, and fet 

 up lamentable cries. Their ordinary load is double that which 

 the llrongert mule can carry ; Voyage du P. Philippe, p. 369. 



