New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
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MECCA. THE BABY CAMEL.

The baby camel made his first public appearance
yesterday afternoon at the occasion of his nam
ing at Madison Square Garden, uy struggles
and writings expressed his dsapproval Of the
whole affair Charles Heyzer, high priest of the
Mecca Temple of the Mystic Shrine. performed
the rite. During the afternoon performance of the
circus. Baby Mecca, with his mother Rosa, was
conducted into the ring, accompanied by twelve
members OF the order. While two men held the
little fellow down Mr.. Heyzer repeated the formula
used in Arabia to dedicate the young camel TO
lgious service. He said: I'm the name of Allah the
Merciful. name thee Mecca and bespeak for
thee life of health and happiness. While know
1t will be your mission to conduct weary pilgrims
the hot sands the cooling GASES l that
your conductor will be faithful to you and that
you firmly hold the rope" Mr. Heyzer
sp-inkied the babys head from bottle of wine
which had been previously broken. and the little
fellow and his mother allowed TO take their
departure. Among the members of the Mystic
Shrine present at the naming Mr. Heyzer,
]. p. Hathorn. S. Heboerd Whiting Allen. Hugo
Mayer, John 2. Church Charles Thomson. Will
lam Spaeth John H Murray and John Vance. of
Portland, Me
Baby camels a decided novelty in this part of
the world. and little Mecca. who born just
week ago In Madison Square Garden, has received
end of attention. To be sure. only favored few
have been allowed snatch unsatisfactory gances
through the curtain into the pen where he and his
mother have been secluded from public view. but
inquiries regarding his health The little fellow
has the appearance of a very much misshapen
calf. and for actual beauty his neck is far too
long. his head small his legs out of all proper
tion the OF his body and his back peculiarly
irregular But in the eyes of his mother Baby
Mecca is lovely most infants to their
mothers and she bestows upon him all the usual
evidences OF maternal affection. The baby's humps
are not yet visible: in about year, however.
they will begin 10 appear, and will straighten
and become firm If the humps large
and firm the camel is in his prime and in excel
lent health If, on the contrary. they fall over,
as in the case of old Levi. Of the circus
herd. something is wrong-it may be lack OF food
old age sickness. An Arab never sets out on a
pilgrimage or IN a caravan with his camel in such
condition.
Coming from dry. hot country where he IS
forced to the sands OF the desert and sub
sst for days without water and sometimes food.
the camel is physically adapted to these condi-
tions. His toes are furnished with soft. wide
cushions which present broad surface TO the
shifting sands and make IT possible for him to
keep firm hold upon them. Thick. calloused pads
protect the knees Of the animal from injury while
kneeling for loading unloading and enable him
support not only hts own weight but very heavy
burdens. Because. In his native land. water Is
scarce. the camel has fifth stomach. or reservoir
where he carry a sufficient quantity last for
many days. Young camels who have never sut-
fered the pangs of thirst apt to start cara
ones who have learned wisdom by experience In
deed, some very old camels will carry a large
quantity Of water. BY an action of the muscles
the water is made to reascend the mouth either
TO quench the thirst or dilute the food:
The camels mouth IS furnished with strong
lining. and If compelled to do he subsist on
the dry thorns found scattered SparseIy through
the desert, which other animal could masticate
without injury TO tongue and throat. In fact when
all else has failed the camel. IL is said has been
known to resort wood for nourishment The
humps composed of adipose fatty tissue
and when deprived OF food the camel absorbs nour-
ishment from them Fitted thus by nature for life
in an arid country, and possessing, he does
great strength ii Is not remarkable that he is the
chosen burden bearer for merchandise of all kinds
in his native land. and that he has the title
ship of the desert" An ordinary camel can
carry load weiG ming from ten hundred twelve
hundred pounds. If. however. he is overloaded he
will make effort 10 rise. but will utter his re-
monstrances in plaintive cries until the weight is
reduced. The camel becomes strongly attached TO
his master. and when very tired will pa
tently pursue his course II encouraged by words
or songs of cheer. In old age the males sometimes
become vicious, and bite and strike with their
front feet any one who is unfortunate enough TO
them.
Many people confuse the dromedary and camel
but the real camel has two humps while the
dromedary has only one. The latter is smaller
and not so strong.