146 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and
good, and gave it unto a young man, and he hasted to
dress it.” ‘The orientals consume a very small quantity
of animal food; and the nomades, with their ample flocks
and herds, less than other orientals. There was probably
not a morsel of meat in Abraham’s camp in any shape
whatever. Their usual fare consists of flour made into a
paste, and boiled with sour camels’ milk; and the Arabs
never indulge in animal food and other luxuries, but on
the occasion of some great festival, or on the arrival of a
stranger, when a kid or lamb is killed.” Sometimes this
is dressed whole, but when pressed for time, as on this
occasion, the meat is cut into small pieces, and either boiled
or put on skewers and broiled over the fire. It appears
strange to dress meat so immediately after the animal is
killed; but this is a universal custom in the East, and no
doubt originated in the heat of the climate. Butter and
milk are both mentioned here as common articles of food,
and, if we may judge by the present habits of the Arabs,
were used in astonishing profusion. Burckhardt mentions,
that those who can afford such a luxury, swallow every
morning a cupfull of butter in a liquid state: all Arab
food swims in this substance; and some tribes even wel-