, 1885-04-17
SHIP OF THE DESERT.
WHAT THE ARAB CALLS THE MOST
USEFUL OF BEASTS
The Capabilities OF the cameI-A Very
Strange Physical Peeuiiarity-The
Coming of the simoom-o
Stinacy OF the Brute


lbroohiyu tASie-l
To carry mon and merchandise across the
arid waste an animal was needed at once
speedy, untiring. sure footed and capable OF
suhsisting whore vegetation was scanty and
water scarce; all these qualifications are
combined in the camel The pads OF its
spreading feet, divided into two toes with
out being externally separated, prevent its
sinking in tho sand, over which It moves so
noiselessly that 1t has been POLITICALLY and
appropriately termed Hthe shipof the desert. -
The cnllosiues on the textures OF the limbs
and chest upon which the animal rests or
kneels to receive its load, prevent the skin
from cracking from contact with tine hot
sand. The ~nostrils. closing at will, exclude
the burning grains whom the simeon sweeps
across the desert, while the peculiar con-
traction Of the stomach enables the camel to
20 without water for several days He is AS
esily sntisded 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
nscertained; In fact the power Of endurance
varies greatly in different individuals but
It has been stated on very good authority
that tho dromedary can sIbsist nine days
without water, though exposed the whole
time to IA h-at resembling that of "A furnace.
II is certain that when the camel does drink
he always appears 10 be laying In n stock
for a week or so and has even been known 10
swallow seven gallons and n half at ono
time. This allows three quarts u day for
ten days, which, though not sufficient prop
erly to quench the thirst Of 50 large an ami
NAL, may yet be enough to keep him alive.
Comparative 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 tho camel
IL has, no doubt, boon ascsrtained that
this extraordinary creature possessei one
stomach more than other mnmmalin, but
curiosity has not been sufficiently busy
with that immense bladder, strenked with
snnguine veins. which the animal sometimes
blows out Of is mouth in spring. In strings
OF thirty or forty l have %noticed, during the
greatest heat Of the day, a majority amus-
ing themselv os after this fashion. On such
occasions they will raise their heads, look
around wildly and then, with a strange. Of
fensive noise. draw up tho bag from their
throats and blow II out inflated TO It's fullest
extent. as II 10 cool II by the touch Of the
external air. In n few minutes they would
suffer It TO collapse and suck it back with a
ruckling noiso into their throats. l. not this
bag Intended 20 contain. in addition t. the
fifth stomach, IA supply Of fresh stomachi
AMI is IL not In this that travellers when
compelled to kill their dromedarios 10 pre-
serve their own lives In tho Sahara, find the
purs transparent nuid spoken OF on such
occasionsf
II Is during "A sandstorm, or on tho ap-
proach Of tho simeon, that the camel dis
plays the most striking proofs Of sngacity.
Before the human eye can detect the sdiftly
approaching column Of yellow or lurid gas
which instantly striker dead all creatures
that breathe IL, the camel discorns tho
danger and, uttering u Wild roar, turns
round and plunges his nose into tho sand.
The traveller also, who springs instantly TO
the earth, presses his faco against the face Of
tho desert, tightly closes his lips and
protects his nostrils with both hands What
signs Of suffering OF agitation the poor
dromcdary exhibits the traveller Is too
much terrified o. observe. but no
himself experiences, throughout his frame.
first n quivering. shooting pain, then a
numbers and paralysis OF all the limb AMI
vital functions, which prolonged for many
SECONDS would bc death. But the mysterious
vapor. which comes almost like lightning. in
the samo manner departs. In many cases
the sudden death OF tho beast and his rider
reveals tho fatal power OF the simoom; but
whom they escape with life the process OF no
viving from the stroke resembles that exps-
riencol by patients after a long Illness
languor, feebleneSs, prostration OF the whole
system, giddiness OF the head, dimness OF
aight, a partial los OF memory and a be-
wildering Of idoaS Foreigners fec 70
brandy as a remedy. the Arabs to coffee,
while tho camel, kneeling as il under n heavy
burden, groans grunts and looks ruefully
about upon the waste.
TIN amble OF the camel-a curious anal
gamation Of rolling and pitching simuitan-
l.H.f - ..-I
by any one accustomed to the pleasant can
ter OF a good horse, but il has its advan
tage. Tho rider may sit sideways, back
wards or In the orthodox fashion. with his
feet In or out OF tho stirrups. he may let his
legs dangle cnrelessly or sit cross-legged
after the manner OF Turks aud tailors. with
out any fear of his seat or equanimity being
disturbed by the sure footed beast STUN
bling, kicking, shying or boiling. A habit
rather perplexinR % the inexperienced
camel rider Is the animals propensity for
snatching at dwarf acacias and other vege-
table delicacics rs he wander along. But
these slight drawbacks are fully compen-
stated hy the measured regularity with which
he moves, while the elevation enables the
traveller 70 see all that Is to be soon AMI
gives him the benefit OF every welcome
breeze thnt blows.
Your trading camel exceeds a mule in oh
stinaey when you attemft 10 break through
his ordinary habits. lie will then oppose TO
your will a passive resistance utterly uncon-
quorable; will lie down il he thinks you
have put too much ON his back. and refuse
70 rise though you should beat him to death.
To show that this Is often a mere crochet.
the Arabs remove two or three small packets
from the load, upon which the animal, no
Doubt with an inward chucklo OF satisfae-
ton, at having gained the victory, gives a
loud grunt, and rises without pcrceiving
that during the operations the packages
have been restored. As, however. he be-
lieves his load to have been hghtened be
trudges along merrily, II 50 sullen a heart
can ever be said to be merry. But though
serious and gloomy, This patient creature
must not be supposed to be entirely without
sentiment. When kindly treated, when pat
ted on the shoulder, when gently spoken To,
but moro especially when treated 10 a song,
the dronedary will exhibit strong signs Of
pleasure in his prominent eye, will turn