Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/109

Rh by one common sole, the foot resting on the pad. The desert people could not exist without the Camel.

They have been imported for draft animals to Australia, Zanzibar, Spain, and were introduced into the United States in 1857; but the Civil War interrupted this experiment. In India and upper Egypt, they are used as baggage animals and haul heavy artillery. Their food consists of leaves of trees, shrubs, and dry, hard vegetables, which they quickly crush with their powerful front teeth.

Camels seem to thrive on sunshine. When resting in the burning heat of desert sand and sun, it does not attempt to seek shelter beneath a cool tree, but basks in the fierce glare of the midday sun, apparently enjoying the maddening heat.

When overtaken by the terrible sand storms, the camel lies down and closes its eyes and nostrils, the driver seeking shelter behind its body.

The patience of this animal, "passeth all understanding." It is not very affectionate, but the human race has much to thank our friend the camel for, who has been a beast of burden to man since the dawn of civilisation.