Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-05
SHIP OF THE DESERT.
WHAT THE ARAB CALLS THE MOST
USEFUL OF BEASTS.
The Capabilities of the Camel-A Worry
Strange Physical Peculiarity-The
Coming of the Simoom-Ob-
stinacy of the Brute.
IBrooklyn Eayle.1

To carry men and merchandise across the
arid waste an animal was needed at once
speedy, untiring, sure footed and capable Of
subsisting where vegetation was scanty and
water scarce; all these qualifications are
combined in the camel The pads Of its
spreading feet, divided into two tees with
out being externally separated, prevent its
sinking in the sand, over which it moves SO
noiselessly that it has been POLITICALLY and
appropriately termed "the shipof the desert.
The callosities on the fexures of the limbs
and chest, upon which the animal rests or
kneels to receive its load, prevent the skin
from cracking from contact with the hot
sand The nostrils. closing at will, exclude
the burning grains when the simeon sweeps
across the desert, while the peculiar con-
traction of the stomach enables the camel to
60 without water for several days He is as
esily salts led in the way of eating, delight
ing in the tough plants he passes on his
march, which his strong, nipper like teeth
enable him to masticate with comfort
How many days the camel can go without
drinking has never perhaps been exactly
ascertained; in fact the power Of endurance
varies greatly in different individuals, but
it has been stated on very good authority
that the dromedary can subsist nine days
without water, though exposed the whole
time to heat resembling that Of q furnace
1t is certain that when the camel does drink
he always appears to be laying in stock
for a week or SO and has even been known to
swallow seven gallons and half at one
time. This allows three quarts day for
ten days, which, though not sufficient prop
erly to quench the thirst Of so large an ami
p,al vat ho apnuuh IN Gaar> bivv, o1;x,o
anatomy, which has INDUCED
in a legion of experiments on the structure
of much inferior animals, has not extended
a proper degree of attention to the camel
1t has, no doubt, been ascertained that
this extraordinary creature possesses one
stomach more than other mammalia, but.
curiosity has not been sufficiently busy
with that immense bladder, streaked with
veins, which the animal sometimes
blows out of its mouth in spring. In strings
Of thirty or forty have noticed, during ths
greatest heat of the day, majority anu
ing themselves after this fashion. On such
they will raise their heads, look
around wildly and then, with strange, Of
fensive noise, draw up the bag from their
throats and blow it out inflated to its fullest
extent. as if to cool it by the touch Of the
external air. In few minutes they would
suffer it to collapse and suck it back with
ruckling noise into their throats Is not this
Dag intended to contain, in addition to the
fifth stomach, a supply Of fresh stomacht
And is it not in this that travellers when
to kill their dromedaries to pre-
serve their own lives in the Sahara, find the
pure tran sparent fluid spoken Of on such
occasionss
1t is during a sandstorm, or on the ap-
proach of the simoom, that the camel dis
plays the most striking proofs Of sagacity.
Before the human eye can detect the swiftly
column Of yellow or lurid gas
which instantly strikes dead all creatures
hat breathe it, the camel discerns the
ianger and, uttering q wild roar, turns
'ound and plunges his nose into the sand
The traveller also, who springs instantly to
he earth, presses his fare against the face Of
he desert. tightly closes his lips and
protects his nostrils with both hands What
igns of suffering or agitation the poor
lromedary exhibits the traveller Is too
much terrified to observe but he
himself experiences, throughout his frame,
irst quivering, shooting pain, then a
lumbness and paralysis Of all the limbs and
'ital functions, which prolonged for many
econds would be death. But he mysterious
'apor, which comes almost lie lightning, in
he same manner departs. In many cases
he sudden death OF the beast and his rider
eveals the fatal power Of the simeon; but
when they escape with life the process Of re-
irving from the stroke resembles that expe-
fenced by patients after long illness
anguor, feebleness, prostration Of the whole
ystem, giddiness of the head, dimness Of
light, partial loss Of memory and be-
sildering Of ideas. Foreigners fee to
randy as a remedy. the Arabs to coffee,
while the camel, kneeling as if under heavy
,urden, groans, grunts and looks ruefully
bout upon the waste
The amble of the camel-a curious ANAL
.amation of rolling and pitching simultan-
ouslc executed would scarcely be extolled
" any one accustomed to the pleasant can
er Of good horse, but it has its advan-
ages. The rider may sit sideways, back
Yards or in the orthodox fashion, with his
eet in or out Of the stirrups. he may let his
egs bangle carelessly or sit cross-legged
.fter the manner of Turks and tailors. with
ut any fear Of his seat or equanimity being
disturbed by the sure-footed beast STUN
'ling, kicking, shying or bolting. A habit
ather perplexinS to tho inexperienced
amel rider is th animals propensity for
at dwarf acacias and other vege-
able delicacies as he wanders along But
hese slight drawbacks are fully compa-
ated ty the measured regularity with which
e moves, while the elevation enables the
raveler to see all that is to be seen and
ives him ths benefit Of every valcome,
reeze that blows.
Your trading camel exceeds a mrie in OBJ
tinacy when you attempt to break through
is ordinary habits. He will then oppose to.
our will a passive resistance utterly uncon--
uerable; will lie down if he thinks you
ave put too much on his back and refuse
o rise though you should beat him to death.
o show that this is often a mere erotchst,
he Arabs remove two or three small packets;
rom the load, upon which the animal, no.
oubt with an inward chuckle Of satisfac-
ion, at having gained the victory, gives q.
bud grunt, and rises without psrceiving
hat during the operations the packages
ave been restored. As, however, he be-
ewes his load to have been lightsned be.
an ever be said to be merry. But though
erious and gloomy, this patient creature
must not be supposed to be entirely without
ointment. When kindly treated, when pat
ed on the shoulder, when gently spoken to,
ut more especially when treated to song,
be dromedary will exhibit strong signs Of
leasure in his prominent eye, will turn
ound his long snake-like neck look at you.
teadfastly, as if to express hi. thanks
OUR FOREIGN-BORNP POPULATION.
ov,o T.tuiIs <,f Untarext-Urfst md Gar
pations-Items.