THE CAMEL. 177 



were able to communicate with each other, to barter goods, and to 

 travel and extend their sphere of operations. Even in this the 

 nineteenth century the deserts of the globe and the arid plains of 

 Egypt> Persia, and Arabia would be rendered impassable by their 

 extinction. The animals still are,'in fact, an indispensable necessity 

 to the mundane existence of the teeming population of certain 

 places in the world which, without their aid, would become unin- 

 habitable, and of necessity revert to the lonely and desolate 

 condition of the pre-adamite age. Their importance in the economy 

 of desert life is beyond calculation, and their wonderful aptitude 

 for the life they are intended to lead, and for thriving under 

 circumstances and among surroundings that would mean misery, 

 prolonged suffering, and death to other animals not similarly 

 constituted, forms one of the marvels of creation. 



Camels are not only patient and indispensable beasts of burden, 

 but in many other ways contribute to the comfort of their masters. 

 To the thirsty traveller the female animals yield their milk, which 

 is a sweet and nourishing beverage. From the hair they shed, 

 which is spun upon hand-spindles, most useful articles of clothing 

 and of luxury are made. Even when dead they still continue to 

 be useful, for the flesh is eaten, being sweet and nutritious ; their 

 hides make tent-covers, water-bottles, and clothing ; their bones 

 are shaped into weapons of defence, or carved into articles of 

 domestic utility, and the hair is exported for manufacturing 

 purposes, being largely used for artists' brushes. The raiment of 

 John the Baptist is described as having been of camel's hair. 

 Many beautiful fabrics are made with cloth of this material; but the 

 finest and most expensive of those wonderful shawls, with their 

 exquisite colourings, that not only adorn the sultanas and beauties 

 of the East, but are deemed fit covering for the shoulders of the 

 highest and the wealthiest ladies of the Western world, although 

 called "camel's hair," are not in reahby from the hair of this 

 animal, which is too coarse, but are made fi-om the selected hair of 

 the goat. It is said they are so fine they can be drawn through a 

 wedding-ring; certain it is that our modern delicate machinery, 

 aided by the latest discoveries in chemistry, have failed to weave 

 a more dehcate web or secure more brilliant colouring. 



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