The Bactrian Camel. 169 
are these : — He has two large and hard bunches on his 
back, and is destitute of horns ; the upper lip is divided 
like that of the hare ; and the hoofs small and placed 
at the end of two long toes, which are united below by 
a pad-like sole. 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 provi- 
sion, by adapting the surface of one of the four stomachs, 
which it has in common with all ruminating animals, to 
serve as a reservoir for water, where it remains without 
corrupting or mixing with the other aliments. By this sin- 
gular 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. But besides this reservoir 
of water the animal is said in cases of emergency to draw 
sustenance from the humps on his back, which are of a 
fatty substance : thus, after long privation, they become 
absorbed. A large Camel is capable of carrying ten or 
even twelve hundredweight, and, like the elephant, is 
tame and tractable ; but, like him, he has his periodical 
fits of rage, and at these times 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 common drink of the Arabians. The hair or fleece, 
which falls oft* entirely in the spring, is superior to that 
of any other domestic animal, and is made into very flue 
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 imposes 
upon him a weight above his strength. He has callosities 
on his knees and on his breast, which prevent him from 
being hurt by kneeling to take up his load ; and sleeps 
with his knees bent under him, and his breast on the 
ground. He arrives at maturity in about five years, and 
the duration of his life is from forty to fifty years. 
