104 NATURAL HISTORY. 



Fig. 89. The Arabian Camel. 



177. The Arabian Camel has been called very appro- 

 priately " the ship of the desert.' 1 It is especially fitted 

 in many respects for traveling across the wide deserts 

 in that quarter of the world. Its broad elastic cushions 

 on its feet afford it a firm footing on the sand. The 

 callous surfaces on its chest and limbs defend it from the 

 heat of the sand as it takes its rest. The eye is shielded 

 Vfrom the glaring light of the sun by a brow hanging over 

 like a roof, and by its long eyelashes. Its nostrils can 

 be closed at pleasure when the hot sand is driven along 

 in clouds by the wind. Its teeth and lips are fitted to 

 the food on which it must depend in the desert. The 

 thorny shrubs and tough leaves which it eats require 

 powerful cutting and grinding teeth for their mastica- 

 tion. These the Camel has. And with its long stout 

 lip it readily draws the twigs and leaves into its mouth. 

 But the most essential provision of all is in the water- 

 cells in one of the stomachs of the Camel. Here he can 

 stow away a large quantity of water for use on his long 

 journey. This he uses only as he requires it. When 



