AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 385 



The Arabian camel is distinguished from the Eactrian species 

 by having only one hump. The dromedary varies from the camel, 

 not in species, but in breed; it is of a slight and slender frame, 

 and is used for running, the other for bearing bui-thens. It is a 

 commonly received notion that traveling Arabs, in their distress 

 for want of water, are frequently reduced to slay their camels for 

 the sake of finding a supply in their stomach. This expedient 

 never came imder the observation of Euckhardt, and he is in- 

 clined entirely to discredit it. Nothing like a supply of water 

 could be found in the stomach of a camel, except on the same 

 day on which it had been watered. Four complete days form tlie 

 extreme length of time during which the Arabian camel can 

 endure the absolute Avant of water in summer. The Darfur 

 camels bear thirst much longer, often it is said to the extent of 

 nine or ten days. Eut it is to be observed that, as in the case of 

 several other ruminating animals, where a sufficiency of succu- 

 lent herbage is obtained, the camel does not require water. 



A recent popular author describes vividly the impressions 

 created by a journey over " the great waterless waste,'' as it is 

 called by the children of Hagar. Of the noble animal so poeti- 

 cally but appropriately styled in their language " the ship of the 

 desert,'' the writer says : — 



" 'A child is born unto us!' exclaims the joyful Arab, when 

 another camel is added to his numerous herd; and neighbors 

 crowd eagerly around the newly arrived friend of the tribe. In 

 joy and in grief, at home and abroad, the camel is the Arab's best 

 friend. When he remains behind, it misses its master's familiar 

 face, and groans and growls like a bear until he returns. How 

 beautifully bright those large, lustrous eyes — the only thing 

 beautiful in him — shining upon his master, when he walks with 

 measured step in the grateful shade of his towering friend, and 

 speaks to the listening animal of the joy of return and the sweet 

 greeting of his children, or when he sings to him the ancient 

 songs of his fathers. At a slight sign, the long lines of camels, 

 often counted by thousands, stand instantly still; the Moslem, the 

 faithful believer, spreads his carpet, washes his face with sand, 

 and, turning his brow to the holy grave of the prophet, humbly 

 says his prayers. At sunset the cry is heard, " Kerri, kerri," and 

 at the word, the weai-ied animals bend tlieir knees to be relieved 

 of their heavy burdens. 



[Am. Inst.] 25 



