Page 330 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XIX.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 293

ject too important to have escaped bis prede­
cessors and naturalists in general, as in truth

it appears to have done.
The following remarks, in addition to other
scattered notices found in these travels, differ

in many respects from received opinions ; but
very favourable opportunities of studying the

subject enable me to submit them with con­
fidence ; and in other respects, that which is
new may serve to supply a deficiency in the

natural history of the most useful animal
which the bounty of the Creator has bestowed

on man.
All the camel’s habits and instincts are

adapted to its singular condition and the
region which he inhabits. Let us contem­
plate the creature from the moment of its

birth. Should this happen on a journey, the
Bedowin receives it in his arms, and for a few
*
hours places it on the mother’s back; but at
the first halting-place, the little stranger is
put down to receive the parent’s caresses, and

ever after continues, unassisted, to follow her
footsteps.

* He is joyously welcomed with the exclamation, “ Another
child is bom unto us.”