110 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

separated distinctly above, though underneath, the division
is limited to the anterior portion of. the foot, the toes being
confined. by the elastic cushion on which thé animal treads.
This renders the division imperfect; but it seems highly
probable that Moses took advantage of the uncertainty, to
raise a barrier between his people and the other descen-
dants of Abraham; for the interdiction of the flesh and
milk of the camel, would in a great degree wean them from
a nomade life, from which it seemed the intention of the
great lawgiver entirely to separate the people under his
charge. The constant use of the milk is said to bring on
disease. The flesh resembles beef, but is coarse-grained,
though palatable when young and well-fed.

In 1 Kings iv. the word “ dromedary” occurs, but the
marginal reading renders the word “mules or swift beasts.”
In the-2 Kings viii. it is recorded that Benhadad, king of
Syria, being sick, sent presents to the prophet Elisha, “ forty
camels’ burden :” this must have been a valuable gift, but
it does not follow that every camel was fully laden, it being
a common practice in the East, to employ a far greater
number of men and animals in conveying a present than
is absolutely required. The load of a camel varies much,
according to circumstances. Burckhardt says, that “the