Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/104

84 From this excessive sleeping they wax strong and large, growing as rapidly as a calf and acquiring a large, bony frame.

They are covered with thick, fluffy, brown hair, and are most interesting looking. The general disposition of little camels is much the same as our domestic calves—they are gentle and playful and fond of fun. A baby Dromedary is about 3 ft. high. The Bactrians are a little heavier framed.

One baby is the rule in Camel families. These unusual animals have played a very important part in our civilisation. They have been domesticated since Bible days, and because of their wonderful ability to travel over the great wastes of the earth, through burning heat and bitter cold, they have been called "The ship of the desert." The peculiar structure of the Camel's stomach enables him to go for many days without water.

This extraordinary power, coupled with the ability to endure climatic extremes, variety of food, famine and heavy burdens, place them in a class by themselves that even the hardy mule cannot hope to approach. A Dromedary can carry twice the load of a mule and a Bactrian can carry