ARABIAN CASIEL OR DROMEDARY. 
107 
mels laden with salt from the borders of the great 
desert. “ They were preceded by a party of twenty 
Tauriac merchants, whose appearance was grand and 
imposing. They entered at full trot, riding on hand- 
some camels, some of them red and white, and others 
black and white. All the party were dressed exact- 
ly alike. They wore black cotton robes and trowsers, 
and white caps, with black turbans, which hid every 
part of the face except the nose and eyes. In their 
right hand they held a long and light polished spear, 
whilst the left was occupied in holding their shields, 
and retaining the reins of their camels. Their shields 
were made of white leather, with a piece of silver in 
the centre. As they passed me, their spears glittering 
in the sun, and their whole bearing bold and warlike, 
they had a novel and singular effect, which delighted 
me. They stopped suddenly before the residence 
of the chief, and all of them exclaiming ‘ Choir,’ 
each of the camels dropped on its knees, as if by 
instinct, whilst the riders dismounted to pay their 
respects.”* 
The variety to which the name of Dromedary 
properly belongs, with the weight of a man only, 
can perform very lengthened journeys, and at a very 
quick pace. Several of these attend the caravans 
when crossing any of the African deserts, performing 
the offices of scouts, and keeping a look-out both for 
danger from the wandering tribes, and for the ap- 
• Clapperton's Second Expedition, p. 265. 
