322 



MAMMALIA— CAMEL. 



being seldom found in any other place than in Turkey, and in some other 

 parts of the Levant ; while the dromedary, more common than any other 

 beast of his size, is to be found in all the northern parts of Africa, in Egypt, 

 in Persia, in South Tartary, and in all the northern parts of India. 



• The dromedary, therefore, occupies an immense tract of land, Avhile the 

 camel is confined to a small spot of ground ; the first inhabits hot and 

 parched regions ; the second a more moist and temperate soil. The camel 

 appears to be a native of Arabia ; for it is not only the country where there 

 is the greatest number, but it is also best accomniodated to their nature. 

 Arabia is the driest country in the world ; and the camel is the least thirsty 

 of all animals, and can pass seven days without any drink. The feet of the 

 camel ar.e formed to travel in sand ; Avhile, on the contrary, he cannot sup- 

 port himself in moist and slippery ground. Herbage and pasture are want- 

 ing to this country, as is the ox, whose place is supplied by the camel. 



The Arabs regard the camel as a present from heaven, a sacred animal, 

 without whose aid they could neither subsist, trade, nor travel. It has 

 been emphatically called the ship of the desert. Its milk is their common 

 nourishment ; they likewise eat its flesh, especially that of the young ones, 

 which they reckon very good. The hair of these animals, which is fine and 

 soft, is renewed every year, and serves them to make stuff for their clothing 

 and their furniture. Blessed with their camels, they not only want for 

 nothing, but they even fear nothing. With them, they can, in a single day, 

 place a tract of desert, of fifty miles, between them and their enemies, and 

 all the armies in the world would perish in the pursuit of a troop of Arabs. 

 Let any one figure to himself a country without verdure, and without water, 

 a burning sun, a sky always clear, plains covered with sand, and mountains 

 Etill more parched, over which the eye extends, and the sight is lost, Avith- 



