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The Camel's Hump

The Camel's Hump image
Parent Issue
Day
1
Month
December
Year
1871
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Modern research has determinad q curiuus circumstance of an organio contrivaiice in the camel and leech, unlike af they are in structure, functions and habits, which has referenco to supplying them with food from storehousos in their own bodies till supplies are attainablo from other sources. The hump is au immense collection of fat stored in reticulated cells piled one upon another, which is concentrated food. When fodder cannot bo had, u frequently occurs on their long caravan travels in the desort, a peculiar set of absorbent vessuls draw upon the magazine - the hump - oarryiag-the fat into circulation till food from without puts a stop to the draft on the back. The hump is very sensibly diminished at times - even being almost completely leveled, but that whicfi was thus borro wed to sustain life temporarily is immediately replaced whon tho stomach is set in motion again in its ccustomed nianner. The medical leech or bloodsucker, low as it is in the organic scale of life, is as carefully provided for in regard to the contingencies of life as the king of the country. As the blood passes down the gullct of the leech tho curro nt divide; right and lef t toen ter two lateral tubes, instead of entering directly into the stomach. These canals arefolded zigzag, backward and forward in loops, as it irero, from the head to the teil. When perfectly fill.-d tho leech Iets go its hold. It is then plump and full, with a stock of food on hand that may ordinarily hu t from one to two years, in caso it has no opportunity to tako in another in that long time.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus