The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-06-20
The Camel.

All NV readers know that the great
/ value Of the camel lies IN its ability 10
pass long interval of time without re-
quiring 10 drink. The camel does not,
indeed, need less amount OF liquid
than other animals. for in this point u
is outdone by many South African ante
lopes, which are never known 10 drink ht
all; but il mas u curious power OF taking
In at one time an amount Of liquid which
will serve il for several days.
The internal mechanism by which
this power ia attained is very Temarkn-
BILE, but is much too complicated 10 be
described without the use Of diagrams.
Suffice il TO say that the water Is slowed
away in a series Of cells, which appear
10 have the property oi preserving II IN
IA fresh and clear state even after the
death Of the animal A slight greenish
hue is communicated 10 the water. but
with that exception il is clear. Ia one
remarkable instance, after a camel hal
been dead ten days, the water IN It's
stomach was drinkable and tAstelesH.
When first taken from the dead animal,
a rather unpleasant flavor is percephble,
but this yanishes, together with the
green color, after tie water has stood
undisturbed for three daysI
The quantity Of water taken at one
time is almost incredible, more than
twenty gallons being sometimes con
sumed al a single draught The animal
drinks gith great rapidity. and the wa
ter disappears 80 fast that II seems 10
vanish by magic. 1is'desire for water Is
80 great that Il car r'clFe the vel
come fluid az n great distance, possibly
by scent, and possibly by some instinct
which is not shared Dy man. Whed the
camels perceive water. nothing can hold
them back from IL, and a whole caravan
will break away from their drivers, rush
ing tumul,uously 10 the water. This
wonderful power is Of the greatest yalue
10 the inhabitants of the desert, who
would have known nothing OF many a
spring had not their camels directed
them towards the water.
Another reason for its value rs IFS abil-
itv tO eat and digest substances that no
other animal would touch. II does not
stop 30 eat on is journey, but lowers It's
long neck and crops the scanty herbage
with which Il may chance 20 meet The
withered and dried leaves and twigs
which snap az a touch, and seem 30 be
utterly devoid Of nutriment, are all de-
youred by the camel, a. also are the
branches Of the thorn. bushes which
would BAN any being but camel.
This animal, however. has the roof OF
its mouth defended by hard cartilage,
and can eat the prickly banquet without
the least difficulty. II would thrive on
the chips and shavings of a carpenters
shop, and has actual Y been fed on char
coal. So abstemious, indeed. il the an
NAL, that camels have been known 20
traverse nearly a thousand miles within
twenty DAYS. having no food but that
which they gathered for themselves on
the journey.
IL has vet another advantage; namely,
the wonderful adaptation Of lie limbs 20
the desert country in which il lives. It's
heigiR enables il 10 carry its own head
and that Of lis rider al a considerable
distance from the ground, so that both
are sheltered from the heat that
radiates from the burning soil. More
over, each little breeze takes full effect
at such height. and in that climate the
least breath Of air becomes a luxury
Golden Hours.