Page 332 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XIX.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 295

when a stranger can accomplish either of these
feats.

The camel of Arabia has only a single
hump, which is round and fleshy, whilst the
animal continues in good condition. No

sooner, however, does he begin to feel the
inroads of famine than a very remarkable

change takes place. By a singular provision
of nature, an absorption of this excrescence

supplies the place of other nourishment; nor
does the body exhibit any considerable dimi­
nution of bulk, until little more of the hump

remains except its frame-work of bones and
muscles. Such is the universal report given

by the Bedowins, whose ample means of ob­
servation entitle their opinions to respect.

Whilst young they are pretty-looking ani­
mals, but when aged and over-worked they

generally lose their hair, and become very
unsightly objects. In general they have a
clean sleek coat, usually of a light brown

colour, with a fringe of dark hair along the
neck; but this covering in the Arabian or

Desert camel is less profuse than in that of
Upper Asia, which is better adapted to the

climate of those regions. In Arabia I have