138 A DESCRIPTION OF 
one of the most useful quadrupeds in oriental countries; 
his docility and strength, his endurance of hunger and 
thirst, and his swiftness, on the sands of Arabia, make 
him a most valuable acquisition to the inhabitants of those 
desert places. The principal characteristics of the Camel 
are these : He carries two large and hard bunches on his 
back, is destitute of horns ; the upper lip is divided like 
that of the hare; and the hoofs small and undecidious. 
But the peculiar and distinguishing characteristic of the 
Camel is, its faculty of abstaining from water for a 
greater length of time than any other animal ; for which 
nature has made a wonderful provision, in giving it, be- 
sides ttie four stomachs which it has in common with all 
ruminating animals, a fifth bag, serving as a reservoir 
for water, where it remains without corrupting or mixing 
with the other aliments. By this singular structure it can 
take a prodigious quantity of water at one draught, and is 
enabled to pass as much as fifteen days without drinking 
again. A large Camel is capable of carrying a thousand, 
and sometimes even twelve hundred weight. This ani- 
mal, like the elephant, is tame, tractable, and strong ; 
but like the elephant he has his periodical tits of rage, 
and at these times he has been known to take up a 
man in his teeth, throw him on the ground, and trample 
him under his feet. Like the horse, he gives security 
to his rider; and, like the cow, he furnishes his owner 
with meat for his table, and the female with milk for his 
drink. The flesh of the young Camel is esteemed a delicacy, 
and the milk of the female, diluted in water, is the com- 
mon drink of the Arabians. The hair or fleece, which 
falls off entirely in the spring, is superior to that of any 
other domestic animal, and is made into very fine stuffs, 
for clothes, coverings, tents, and other furniture. The 
female goes one year with young, and produces but one at 
a time. The Camel kneels to receive his burthen, and it 
is said that he refuses to rise, if his master impose upon 
