Camel

[Lat. camel us; Gr. kamēlos; Heb.gamal: found in all the Semitic languages; probably from Ar. root chamal, to bear.] (Zool.) A genus of ruminating animals, without horns, tribe Camel in a, or Camel in a, further distinguished by the po e ion of incisive, canine, and molar teeth; the upper lip is divided; the Fig . 486.- HEAD OF DROMEDARY. neck long and arched; having one or two humps or protuberances upon the back, and naked callosities at the joints of the leg, the lower part of the breast, . They have a broad, expanded, elastic foot, terminated in front by two comparatively small hoofs, or toes; the whole structure of it being admirably fitted for enabling the animal to travel with peculiar ease and security over dry, stony, and sandy regions. The native country of this genus is said to extend from Mauri tan i a to China, within a zone of 1,000 m. in breadth. The common Camel ( Camel us Bactrianus ), having two humps, is found only in the northern part of this region, and exclusively from the ancient Bactria, now Turkestan, to China. It is larger than the Dromedary; the limbs are not so long in proportion to the body; the muzzle is larger and more tumid; the hair of a darker brown, and the usual gait slower; but the most obvious distinction is afforded by the Bactrian Camel having two humps, and the Dromedary, or Arabian Camel having but one, which single hump occupies the middle of the back, rising gradually on all sides towards its apex. The Arabian, or single-hump Camel ( Ca mel us drome dari us) is found throughout the entire length of this zone, on its southern side, as far as Africa and India. The general height of the Arabian Camel, measured from the top of the dorsal Fig. 487.-CAMEL, (Camel us Bactrianus.) hump to the ground, is about six feet and a half, but from the top of the head when the animal elevates it, not much le than nine feet; the head, however, is generally so carried as to be nearly on a level with the hump, or rather below it, the Camel bending the neck extremely in its general posture. In some particular attitudes, perhaps, the Camel may be said to have an elegant and picturesque appearance, yet its general aspect, and more especially its dorsal hump, at first sight, is apt to impre on the mind the idea of deformity, rather than a truly natural conformation. - It is highly probable that the Camel has long ceased to exist in its wild or natural state, as it has been enslaved by man from the earliest times of which we have record. Unlike the elephant and other animals which cease to breed in a state of captivity, the Camel is as prolific as if at liberty; and vast numbers are raised and employed throughout the East, especially in the commerce carried on between the people residing in the vicinity of the great deserts. In regions where water is scarce, and wells or springs are several days' journey distant from each other, it would be impo ible to traverse the country with the usual beasts of burden. But the Camel can abstain from drinking for seven or eight days together without injury - an important advantage, which is owing to the po e ion of an additional cavity in the stomach, destined to receive water, whenever it can be procured, and capable of retaining it unchanged for a long time. But, besides a reservoir of water to meet the exigencies of long journeys acro the desert, the Dromedary and Camel are provided with a storehouse of solid nutriment, on which they can draw for supplies long after every digestible part has been extracted from the contents of the stomach: this store-house consists of one or two large collections of fat stored up in ligamentous cells supported by the spines of the dorsal vertebræ, and forming what are called the humps. When the C is in a region of fertility, the hump becomes plump and expanded; but after a protracted journey in the wilderne it becomes shrivelled and reduced to its ligamentous constituent, in consequence of the absorption of the fat. Po e ing strength and activity surpa ing that of most beasts of burden, docile, patient of hunger and thirst, and contented with small quantities of the coarsest provender, the C. is one of the most valuable gifts of Providence. There is nothing, however, in the external appearance of the animal to indicate the existence of any of its excellent qualities. In form and proportions, it is very opposite to our usual ideas of perfection and beauty. A stout body, having the back disfig ured by one or two humps; limbs long, slen der, and seem ingly too weak to support the trunk; a long, thin, crooked neck, surmounted by a heavily proportioned head, are all ill suited to produce favorable im pre ions. Nev- Fig. 488. - SKELETON OF DROMEDARY, erthele , there ( Camel us drome dari us.) is no creature more excellently adapted to its situation, nor is there one in which more of creative wisdom is displayed in the peculiarities of its organization. To the Arabs and other wanderers of the desert, the C. is at once wealth, subsistence, and protection. The milk furnishes them with a large part of their nutriment. The flesh of the young animal is one of their greatest luxuries; of the skins they form tents, or manufacture them into saddles, harne , pitchers, shields, and many other articles; the various sorts of hair, or wool, shed by the C., are wrought into different fabrics; and its very excrements serve as fuel, or are applied to other useful purposes. - These animals are trained, when extremely young, to the labors which they are afterwards to perform; and with this view, when but a few days old, their limbs are folded under their body, and they are compelled to remain on the ground while they are loaded with a weight, which is gradually increased as they increase in strength. The pace of the C. is a high and swinging trot, which, to persons unaccustomed to it, is at first disagreeable and apparently dangerous, but is afterwards tolerably pleasant and secure. The Arabians in general ride on a saddle that is hollowed in the middle, and has at each bow a piece of wood placed upright, or sometimes horizontally, by which the rider keeps himself in the seat; and the animal is guided, or stopped, by means of a cord that serves as a bridle, and is affixed to a ring which is pa ed through his nostrils. Small C. carry from 600 to 800 lbs.; the largest and strongest bear 1,000 lbs. or upwards from thirty to thirty-five miles a day; but those which are used for speed alone are capable of travelling from sixty to ninety miles a day. When a caravan of C. arrives at a resting or baiting place, they kneel, and the cords sustaining the load being untied, the bales slip down on each side. They generally sleep on their bellies, crouching between the bales they have carried; the load is, therefore, replaced with great facility. In an abundant pasture, they generally browse as much in an hour as serves them for ruminating all night, and for their support during the next day. But it is uncommon to find such pasturage, and they are said to prefer nettles, thistles, ca ia, and other prickly vegetables, to the softest herbage. - The female goes with young twelve months, and brings forth one at a birth. Her milk is very rich, abundant, and thick, but of rather a strong taste; though when mixed with water it forms a very nutritive article of diet. Breeding and milk-giving C. are exempted from service, and fed as well as po ible, the value of their milk being greater than that of their labor. The young C. usually sucks for twelve months; but such as are intended for speed are allowed to suck, and exempted from restraint for two or three years. The C. arrives at maturity in about five years, and the duration of its life is from forty to fifty years. Camel-backed, ( kam'el - backt,) a. Hump-backed; having a back like a camel. Cameleon, n . (Zool.) See CHAMELEON. Camel'idæ, n . pl ., or CAMEL IN A. ( Zool .) A tribe of ruminants, family Bovida , including the camels of the Old World and the Llamas of America. Cameli'na, n. (Zool.) See CAMELIDE. (Bot.) A genus of plants, order Bra icacea . The Golden Pleasure, C. sativa, a native of Europe, but found in our cultivated fields, has small yellow flowers, in paniculated racemes. It is cultivated in France for its seeds, from which an excellent oil is obtained. Camellia, n . [Called after Father Camelli , or Kamel , the Jesuit.] ( Bot .) A genus of plants, order Ternstromiacea. It contains ten or twelve species, which are peculiar to S. Asia. They are lofty evergreen shrubs, with large beautiful flowers, varying from white to red, and rose color. The principal species is the C. Japonica , a native of Japan, and introduced by Camelli into Europe, in 1739. For many years this handsome plant was only found in the gardens of the curious or scientific botanist. Now it is cultivated throughout N. America and Europe with as great ardor as the rose or dahlia. Numerous varieties have been produced, and at the present day, not fewer, it is said, than 1,500 are known. The trade in camellias is one of very considerable importance in the U. States as in Europe. C. Sasanqua, the Sasanqua tea, is a native of China, and produces snow-white flowers. The leaves when dried have a sweer smell, and are mixed with tea to give it a grateful odor. The Chinese women use a decoction to wash their hair with. From the nut is expre ed an oil which is considered equal to the best which comes from Florence. C. oleifera yields also a valuable oil much esteemed in China. Cam'elopard, n . ( Zool .) See GIRAFFE. Camelopard alus, n. (Astron.) The camelopard, a constellation made by Hevelius out of the unformed stars which lie scattered between Perseus, Auriga, the head of Ursa Major, and the Pole Star. It contains 58 small stars, the five largest of which are only of the 4th magnitude. Camelot, ( kam'e -lot,) n. (Com.) See CAMLET. ( Lit. ) The name of the town where tradition states King Arthur kept his court. - "Many-towered Came lot ." Tennyson .