THE RUMINANT ORDER. 
235 
The strength and energy of these animals are consequently sus- 
tained a long time ; hut when much reduced in condition, they 
only recover their proper form by obtaining abundant and regular 
nourishment for a lengthened period. 
The faculty which the Camel possesses of . being able to dis- 
pense with drinking for a considerable time, has generally been 
attributed to the fact that it carries internally a reservoir 
of water, which it uses in cases of necessity. Their digestive 
organs, like those of other Ruminants, are composed of four dif- 
ferent stomachs ; the paunch, however, presents a very remarkable 
peculiarity. It is divided into two distinct bags, one of which is 
composed of cubical cellules, which form reservoirs ; and when 
the body of a Camel is cut open, a quantity of water is fre- 
quently found in these receptacles. It has long been thought 
that this liquid had been stored there by foresight, and that 
it is used when occasion requires ; but it seems more reasonable 
to consider that this water proceeds from a secretion, analogous 
to the physiological phenomenon which fills the bladders of Fish 
with air or the urn of the Nepenthe (among vegetables) with 
water. 
Llama . — The Llamas are to the New World what Camels 
are to the Old Continent. They are distinguished from the 
latter animal by the absence of humps on their backs ; by their 
two-toed feet only touching the ground at their extremities ; by 
their soles, which are less flattened ; and their shape, which is 
more slender and graceful. 
There are three species of Llama : the Llama proper, the Paca, 
and the Vicuna. 
The Llama (Fig. 77) was the only beast of burthen made use of 
by the Peruvians at the time America was discovered by Euro- 
peans, and it exists nowhere else in a wild state. It is about the 
height of an under- sized ITorse ; its head is small and well set ; 
it has callosities on its breast, knees, and hocks. Its coat is coarse, 
and varies in colour from brown to black ; occasionally it is grey, 
and even white. The hair on its body is always longer and more 
shaggy than on its head, neck, and legs. 
The ancient inhabitants of Peru made use of this species entirely 
as beasts of burthen and labour ; but since the introduction of 
Horses into America their employment has much diminished. 
