The Arabian camel as a wild animal has long since been extinct. Of the hordes of so-called wild camels which abound in the desert regions of Central Asia (Gobi Steppe), some are probably descendants of domesticated animals which have escaped from captivity, but others may be aboriginally wild. From the evidence of fossil camels, there seems little doubt that this animal originated in North America—one branch of the family (the Llamas) migrating into South America, and the other (the Camels) crossing Bering Sea into the Old World.
The True Camel.
Photo by W. Reid] [Wishaw, N.B.
A STRING OF CAMELS NEAR PORT SAID.
These are the typical desert-camels of the East.
Before proceeding further, it may be well to refer to the confusion which exists in the use of the names Camel and Dromedary. The latter name seems popularly to be applied to the two-humped species, the name Camel being reserved for the one with a single hump. This is a mistake. The Dromedary is a swift breed of riding-camel of the one-humped species, and is so called to distinguish it from its slower brother, the Pack-camel, or Baggage-camel. The pack-camel, it is interesting to note, has been introduced into Australia, where it has proved invaluable in crossing the vast waterless deserts, on account of its power to exist for long periods without drinking.
Photo by the Duchess of Bedford] [Woburn Abbey.
HEAD OF BACTRIAN CAMEL.