Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/192

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182
RUMINANTIA.—CAMELIDÆ.

miles a day. Often, in dry seasons, the wells, which here and there have been dug at long intervals, are found to be destitute of water, when the most appalling privations are sometimes suffered

HALT OF A CARAVAN.
HALT OF A CARAVAN.

HALT OF A CARAVAN.

by man and beast: on such occasions, the extreme exigency has prompted the slaughter of the Camel, for the sake of the pittance of water contained in its natural reservoir already alluded to. If, however, abstinence from drinking have been maintained for four or five days, the Camel's internal supply becomes exhausted, and thirst speedily proves fatal.

From its birth, the Camel is trained to kneel, and to receive very heavy loads, at command: its