CAMEL. 
76 
of the young camel affords a nourishment equal to 
veal, and the females give a great quantity of 
wholesome milk, from which cheeses are made, that 
bear a high price, and are much esteemed among 
the Arabs. Their hair is of a very fine texture, 
and greatly in request, being manufactured into 
shawls, &c. Even the dung is highly serviceable, 
and makes excellent fuel after it has been exposed 
for a day or two in the sun. It then burns freely ; 
and is of great use in the deserts, where not a tree 
is to be found, and where, for want of combustible 
materials, fire is as scarce as water. 
That camels were brought into the field at a very 
early period is sufficiently proved by Xenophon, 
who, in his minute description of the famous battle 
of Thymbra, particularly mentions a considerable 
number of camels having two Arabian archers 
mounted upon each, who sat back to back, so that 
they were enabled to act offensively either advancing 
or retreating. These animals were formed by Cyrus 
into a squadron, and made to advance into the midst 
of the battle; where they fully answered the in- 
tended purpose by completely routing the Lydian 
cavalry. 
It appears that this method of placing the soldiers 
upon the camels is still continued ; as Mr. Bruce 
describes the arrival of a caravan at Syene, escorted 
by four hundred fighting men armed with short 
javelins, and mounted back to back. 
