CAMELS. 
409 
For a few days, owing to the peculiar conformation of their stomachs, camels can 
exist comfortably without water, but their endurance in this respect is often taxed 
sadly beyond its natural capability. 
Although the camel is undoubtedly the most valuable and useful of all animals 
in dry and desert countries, its disposition and temper are decidedly of the very 
worst description. In addition to its ordinary surliness and want of attachment 
to its master, the male camel during the pairing-season is subject to almost uncon¬ 
trollable outbreaks of rage; and, at the same time, owing to a swelling of the 
uvula, makes a loud bubbling noise which is most unpleasant to the human 
occupants of the camp. An instance of the savage disposition of camels is 
afforded by the habit they have, when passing a mounted man on a narrow path, 
of turning their heads suddenly round and endeavouring to inflict a bite on the 
rider’s arm or shoulder; a camel’s bite being, by the way, exceptionally severe. 
Writing of the character of the camel, Dr. Robinson observes, that these animals 
“ are commonly represented as patient, but if so, it is the patience of stupidity. 
They are rather exceedingly impatient, and utter loud cries of indignation when 
receiving their loads, and not seldom on being made to kneel down. They are also 
obstinate, and frequently vicious; and the attempt to urge them forwards is often 
very like trying to drive sheep the way they do not wish to go.” 
So again, Palgrave writes that the camel “ takes no heed of his rider, pays no 
attention whether he be on his back or not, walks straight on when once set 
agoing, merely because he is too stupid to turn aside, and then should some 
tempting thorn or green branch allure him out of the path, continues to walk on 
in the new direction, simply because he is too dull to turn back into the right road. 
In a word, he is from first to last an undomesticated and savage animal, rendered 
serviceable by stupidity alone, without much skill on his master’s part, or any 
co-operation of his own save that of an extreme passiveness.” 
In addition to its value as a beast of burden, the camel is also 
Uses. 
esteemed by the natives of many countries on account of its milk and 
flesh, while its hair is woven into ropes and cloth, and in some parts of India its 
bones are used in lieu of ivory for inlaying and turning. The milk is extremely 
thick and rich, but is unsuitable for use with tea or coffee, as it then immediately 
curdles. From remote antiquity camels have been kept in enormous herds by 
Eastern nations. In modern times the Arabs of the Sudan possess immense herds, 
which in the rainy season are driven northwards in thousands; and in some parts 
of North-Western India the number of camels kept by the natives must be very 
large. When the young camels are too feeble to undergo the fatigues of a day’s 
march, they are slung in nets on the backs or by the sides of some adult members 
of the drove. But a single calf is produced at a birth, after a gestation of rather 
more than eleven months; and the calf is suckled by the dam for at least a 
twelvemonth. 
In the Sudan the price of a riding-camel varies from about £10 to £15, 
while a good baggage-camel can be purchased for about £4, 10s. Young or weak 
camels may be bought for as little as 30s. 
Aversion to Camels have a great aversion to crossing even the smallest 
stream, and swim either imperfectly, or not at all, without assistance; 
Water. 
