C II A P T E 11 XVIII. 



THE CAMEL TRIBE AND THE GHEVROTAINS. 



IIY W. P. I'l CKAFI', A.L.S., F.Z.S. 



THE Camels and Llamas, constituting the 

 present group, form a very distinct 

 section of tlie great assemblage of 

 animals known as the liuminants, or Cud- 

 chewers. The Camel Tribe are peculiar 

 amongst the Kuminants in that they never 

 possess horns, and iir that the stomach is 

 only divided into tlnx-e instead of four com- 

 partments — tlris division into compartments 

 being intimately connected with the ruminat- 

 ing haliit. Furtliermore, tlie upper jaw 

 bears cutting-teeth, or " front teeth," as 

 they are poj^iularly called : though tlie full 

 set (three pairs) is only complete in the 

 young, in the adult but one pair remains, 

 the others being shed. Tlie canine or " eye " 

 teeth are also peculiar in their position, 

 those of tlie lower jaw being separated from the cutting-teeth by a very considerable gap. 

 In the structure of the feet the Camel Tribe are no less peculiar ; indeed, it is on this 

 character that the scientific name of the group is founded. Only two toes are present; these 

 are of equal size, and, instead of being protected by hoofs, are provided with a hardened skin, 

 covering a cushion-like pad, which expands when the weight of the body is thrown ui^on the 

 foot, as in walking. This is an admirable adaptation for walking on soft and yielding sands. 

 Hoofs are rejn-esented only by a pair of broad nails. 



The three-chambered stomach is remark- 

 able because the chamber known as the 

 "paunch" lodges in its walls a large collec- 

 tion of "water-cells," in which can be stored 



;•;,../" /../ /:'. L" 



A WHITE CA-MEL. 



A light s;in<ly is the common colour, though white, grey, brown, and 

 lihick occur ; but black camels are held by the Arabs to be worthless. 



•#«^ 



[Alilirshul. 



I'lwto 111/ Ckuiiea K,U'jl,l] 



ARABIAN CAMEL. 



This individual belongs to the heavy breed employed for carrying 

 merchandise and baggage. 



as much as a gallon and a half of water. 

 This faculty of storing water is invaluable 

 to an animal which has often to subsist for 

 days on absolutely waterless deserts. 



Note the slit-like nostrils in the illus- 

 tration of the Eactrian Camel on page 306. 

 These can be closed at the will of the animal, 

 a useful precaution against the entrance of 

 sand during the violent sand-storms which 

 oiteii arise in the desert. 



The True Camels are distinguished by 

 the possession of a hump or humps : there 

 are never more than two. It is in these 

 humps that the camel was popularly supposed 



