MINANTIA,

RUMINATING ANIMALS--THOSE THAT CHEW THE CUD.

THE CAMEL.

Of this quadruped there are two species, the dromedary, and the
Bactrian camel, which has two hunches on the back. It has been used
from the earliest ages, and is one of the most useful of all the
animals over which the inhabitants of Asia and Africa have acquired
dominion. These continents are intersected by vast tracts of burning
sand, the seats of desolation and drought; but by means of the camel,
the most dreary wastes are traversed. The camel's great strength, and
astonishing powers of abstinence both from food and drink, render it
truly invaluable in these inhospitable countries. Denon tells us that,
in crossing the Arabian Desert, a single feed of beans is all their
food for a day. Their usual meal is a few dates, or some small balls of
barleymeal, or, occasionally, the dry and thorny plants they meet with,
at remote intervals, during their progress across the desert. With
these scanty meals, the contented creature will lie down to rest amid
the scorching sands, without exhibiting either exhaustion or a desire
for better fare. Well may the Arab call the camel "the ship of the
desert!"

Mr. McFarlane says, "I have been told that the Arabs will kiss their
camels, in gratitude and affection, after a journey across the deserts.
I never saw the Turks, either of Asia Minor or Roumelia, carry their
kindness so far as this; but I have frequently seen them pat their
camels when the day's work was done, and talk to them on their journey,
as if to cheer them. The camels appeared to me quite as sensible to
favor and gentle treatment as is a well-bred horse. I have seen them
curve and twist their long, lithe necks as their driver approached, and
often put down their tranquil heads toward his shoulder. Near Smyrna,
and at Magnesia and Sardes, I have occasionally seen a camel follow his
master like a pet dog, and go down on his knees before him, as if
inviting him to mount. I never saw a Turk ill-use the useful, gentle,
amiable quadruped; but I have frequently seen him give it a portion of
his own dinner, when, in unfavorable places, it had nothing but chopped
straw to eat. I have sometimes seen the _devidjis_, on a hot day, or in
passing a dry district, spirt a little water in the camels' nostrils;
they pretend it refreshes them."

The same writer says that, upon his first camel adventure, he was so
taken by surprise by the creature's singular rising