THE HORSE 125 



power of travelling through the desert. From its milk he makes a 

 kind of cheese, which is very largely used for food in many parts 

 of the East. Its hair, too, is carefully collected, and spun into 

 cloth, while some is brought to European countries, and made into 

 paint-brushes for artists, and a variety of things. The hide makes 

 very strong and stout leather; and the flesh is very good to eat. 

 But the camel is so valuable an animal, that only a very rich man 

 can afford to kill one for food. 



In Persia the Bactrian camel is used for a very remarkable 

 purpose. A large and strong saddle is fastened upon its back, 

 between the two humps, and upon this two heavy guns are fixed. 

 Each of these guns is set upon a pivot, so that the rider, who sits 

 behind them, can turn them in any direction. 



The camels which are thus armed are formed into several 

 regiments, known as the Camel Artillery, and more than once 

 they have proved very useful in time of war. 



Camels are surly, obstinate, and sometimes vicious, and cry 

 angrily when receiving their loads. When passing a mounted 

 man on a narrow path, they will sometimes suddenly turn their 

 heads round and try to bite his arm or shoulder. 



THE HORSE 



We do not know when the horse was first tamed and trained 

 to be useful to man, but we do know that when Julius Caesar first 

 invaded our own country of Britain, horses were in use, and were 

 even used in warfare. Their fossil remains are found in the river 

 gravels of England. Horses were here many thousands of years 

 ago. Now we find them so valuable that we should not know 

 how to do without them. Think how much they do for us. They 

 draw our carts and carriages along the roads. They drag our 

 ploughs and harrows over the fields. They help us to sow our 

 corn, and to roll it when it is growing up; and, when it is ripe, 

 they help us to cut and gather it in. If we go into a wood to 

 cut timber, they help us to" carry it away. If we dig a coal-mine, 

 they work underground for us, and help to bring the coal to the 



