228 



MAMMALIA. 



We must not omit to mention the callosities wMcli Camels have 

 on their breast, knees, and insteps, as well as on their patella and 

 heels. Their feet are bifurcated. The two toes on each foot are 

 not enveloped in horn, and have only on the last joint a somewhat 

 short and hooked nail. A hard and callous sole covers the bottom 

 of the toes — a characteristic which enables them to walk with ease 

 on loose sand, where the Elephant would be useless and the Horse 

 soon exhaust its strength. 



Fig. 71. — Ctimel'd Head. 



The Camel is a native of ancient Bactria, now the country of 

 the Usbecks. It principallj^ lives in Asia, where it has been 

 used, from antiquity, for domestic and military service. In Africa, 

 where it is acclimatised, it has dovibtless existed since the time of 

 the conquest of that country by the Arabs. 



The Dromedary is distributed all over a great part of Northern 

 Africa, and the major jjortion of Asia. It seems originally to 

 have been a native of Arabia. 



After these considerations on the structure and places of habi- 

 tation of the Camel, we will dwell a little on the immense service 



