CAMELS. 409 



For a few days, owing to the peculiar conformation of their stomachs, camels can 

 exist comfortably without water, but their endurance in this respect is often taxed 

 sadly beyond its natural capability. 



Although the camel is undoubtedly the most valuable and useful of all animals 

 in dry and desert countries, its disposition and temper are decidedly of the very 

 worst description. In addition to its ordinary surliness and want of attachment 

 to its master, the male camel during the pairing-season is subject to almost uncon- 

 trollable outbreaks of rage ; and, at the same time, owing to a swelling of the 

 uvula, makes a loud bubbling noise which is most unpleasant to the human 

 occupants of the camp. An instance of the savage disposition of camels is 

 afforded by the habit they have, when passing a mounted man on a narrow path, 

 of turning their heads suddenly round and endeavouring to inflict a bite on the 

 rider's arm or shoulder; a camel's bite being, by the way, exceptionally severe. 

 Writing of the character of the camel, Dr. Robinson observes, that these animals 

 " are commonly represented as patient, but if so, it is the patience of stupidity. 

 They are rather exceedingly impatient, and utter loud cries of indignation when 

 receiving their loads, and not seldom on being made to kneel down. They are also 

 obstinate, and frequently vicious ; and the attempt to urge them forwards is often 

 very like trying to drive sheep the way they do not wish to go." 



So again, Palgrave writes that the camel " takes no heed of his rider, pays no 

 attention whether he be on his back or not, walks straight on when once set 

 agoing, merely because he is too stupid to turn aside, and then should some 

 tempting thorn or green branch allure him out of the path, continues to walk on 

 in the new direction, simply because he is too dull to turn back into the right road. 

 In a word, he is from first to last an undomesticated and savage animal, rendered 

 serviceable by stupidity alone, without much skill on his master's part, or any 

 co-operation of his own save that of an extreme passiveness." 



In addition to its value as a beast of burden, the camel is also 

 esteemed by the natives of many countries on account of its milk and 

 flesh, while its hair is woven into ropes and cloth, and in some parts of India its 

 bones are used in lieu of ivory for inlaying and turning. The milk is extremely 

 thick and rich, but is unsuitable for use with tea or coffee, as it then immediately 

 curdles. From remote antiquity camels have been kept in enormous herds by 

 Eastern nations. In modern times the Arabs of the Sudan possess immense herds, 

 which in the rainy season are driven northwards in thousands ; and in some parts 

 of North-Western India the number of camels kept by the natives must be very 

 large. When the young camels are too feeble to undergo the fatigues of a day's 

 march, they are slung in nets on the backs or by the sides of some adult members 

 of the drove. But a single calf is produced at a birth, after a gestation of rather 

 more than eleven months; and the calf is suckled by the dam for at least a 

 twelvemonth. 



In the Sudan the price of a riding-camel varies from about £10 to £15, 

 while a good baggage-camel can be purchased for about £4, 10s. Young or weak 

 camels may be bought for as little as 30s. 



Aversion to Camels have a great aversion to crossing even the smallest 



water. stream, and swim either imperfectly, or not at all, without assistance ; 



