ARABIAN CAMEL. 235 



-fhem double their pace, and they drink as much 

 at once as serves them for the time that is past, 

 and as much to come ; for their journey often 

 lasts several weeks, and their abstinence continues 

 an equal time. 



In Turkey, Persia, Arabia, Egypt, Barbary, 

 Sec. all the articles of merchandize are carried by 

 Camels. Of all carriages it is the cheapest and 

 most expeditious. The merchants and other pas- 

 sengers unite in a caravan, to prevent the insults 

 and robberies of tlie Arabs. These caravans are 

 often very numerous, and are ahvays composed of 

 more Camels than men. Each Camel is loaded 

 in proportion to his strength; and when over- 

 loaded, he refuses to march, and continues lying 

 tiir his burthen is lightened. The large Camels 

 generally carry a thousand, or even twelve hun- 

 dred pounds ^v^eight, and the smallest from six to 

 seven hundred. In these commercial travels their 

 march is not hastened : as the route is often se- 

 ven or eight hundred leagues, their motions and 

 journies are regulated. They walk only, and 

 perform about from ten to twelve leagues each 

 day. Every night they are unloaded, and al- 

 lowed to pasture at freedom. When in a rich 

 country or fertile meadow, they eat, in less than 

 an hour, as nmch as serves them to ruminate the 

 whole night, and to nourish them during twenty- 

 four hours. But they seldom meet with such pas- 

 tures ; neither is this delicate food necessary for 

 them. They even seem to prefer wormwood, 

 thistles, nettles, broom, cassia, and other prickly 



