BACTRIAN CAMEL.— Camelus bactriarais. 



THE CAMEL. 



' ROM the earliest times that are recorded, in history, the Camel is mentioned as one of 

 the animals which are totally subject to the sway of man, and which in eastern 

 countries contribute so much to the wealth and influence of their owners. 



There are two species of Camel acknowledged by zoologists, namely, the common 

 Camel of Arabia, which has but one hump, and the Mecheri, or Bactrian Camel, 

 which possesses two of these curious appendages. Of these two animals, the former 

 is by far the more valuable, as it is superior to its two-humped relative in almost 

 every respect. Admirably fitted, as are all animals, for the task which they are intended to 

 perform, the Camel presents such wonderful adaptations of form to duty, that the most super- 

 ficial observer cannot but be struck with the exquisite manner in which the creature has been 

 endowed with the various qualities of mind and body which are needful under the peculiar 

 circumstances amid which it dwells. 



As the animal is intended to traverse the parched sand plains, and to pass several con- 

 'secutive days without the possibility of obtaining liqiiid nourishment, there is an internal 

 structure which permits the animal to store up a considerable amount of water for future use. 

 For this purpose, the honeycomb cells of the "reticulum" are largely developed, and are 

 enabled to receive and retain the water which is received into the stomach after the natural 

 thirst of the animal has been supplied. After a Camel has been accustomed to journeying 

 across the hot and arid sand wastes, it learns wisdom by experience, and contrives to lay by a 

 much greater supply of water than would be accumulated by a young and untried animal. It 



