THE CAMEL. 
19 
domesticated, and manifesting as much attachment to man as 
has the dog. In captivity, the Hyena exhibits an irritable and 
restless disposition, but that is unquestionably attributable to its 
great aversion to a pent up confinement. 
THE CAMEL. 
t-'his quadruped is especially organized for existence in the 
O . arid and barren deserts of Asia and Africa. The complete 
adaptation of the Camel for the dreary wastes in which it 
is destined to exist is fully illustrated in its peculiar structure. 
It has a broad expanded foot, elastic as a cushion, terminated in 
front by two comparatively small hoofs, and well defended beneath 
by a felt of coarse hair, which prevents the leg from sinking in 
the loose surface; while its long joints and lofty tread adapt it 
for a rapid progress along the loose sandy plains. But the dis- 
tinguishing characteristic of the camel is its faculty of abstaining 
from water for a greater length of time than any other animal, — 
for which Nature has made a wonderful provision in giving it, 
besides the four stomachs which it has in common with other 
ruminating animals, a fifth bag, serving as a reservoir for water, 
where it, remains without corrupting or mixing with other ali- 
ments. When pressed with thirst, and has occasion for water to 
macerate its food while ruminating, it makes part of it pass into 
the stomach by a simple contraction of certain muscles. Besides 
