THE STORY OF THE CAMEL. 
127 
southern relative; its shorter and stouter limbs rendering it far less liable to 
accidents in traversing precipitous ascents. The largest development of hair 
occurs upon the top of the head, the neck and shoulders, the upper part of 
the fore-limbs, and the humps. 
The Bactrian camel feeds chiefly upon the saline and bitter plants of the 
A BABY CAMEL. 
steppes which are rejected by almost all other animals; and displays a curious 
partiality for salt, drinking freely at the brackish water and salt lakes, which 
are so common throughout its habitat. Instead of confining itself to a 
strictly vegetable diet, the Bactrian camel will, when pressed by hunger, 
readily devour almost anything that it may come across, including felt- 
blankets, bones and skins of animals, flesh and fish. 
