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CHAPTER XIII. 



THE CAMEL {Continued). 



There are several breeds of camels, for in this respect they exhibit 

 nearly as many distinctions as those observable in horses. The 

 higher bred animals of the dromedary class are finer shaped and in 

 no way so coarse as the common camels. They have a speed that 

 outstrips the best Arab horses, and their astonishing powers of 

 endurance make them capable of travelling such long distances 

 in so short a space of time that the descriptions given of certain 

 performances in this way would be incredible if not corroborated by 

 reliable authorities. John Leo,^ in enumerating the three kinds of 

 camels, says the Eaguahills, which are a small species, and unfit for 

 burden, are so swift "that in the space of one day they will 

 travel one hundred miles, and will so continue over the deserts 

 for eight or ten days together with very little provender, and 

 these do the principal Arabians of Numida and the Moors of 

 Libya usually ride upon. When the King of Tombuto is desirous 

 to send any message of importance unto the Numidian merchants 

 with great celerity, his post or messenger, riding upon one of 

 these camels, will run from Tombuto to Darha or Segelmesse, 

 being 900 miles distant, in the space of eight days at the farthest." 

 The speed of the breed Heirie, Bl Heirie, or Maherry of the desert 

 is also unquestionably very great. "When thou shalt meet a heirie," 

 the Arabs remark in .their poetical mode of expression, "and 

 say to the rider ' Salem Aleik,' he will be afar off, and nearly 

 out of sight, for his swiftness is like the wind." ^ 



Modern writers have also asserted from their personal experience 

 that these animals are so hardy, they can travel in the desert 

 1 " Purchas, his Pilgrimes." 1625. ' Knight's " Cyclopedia." 



