THE BISON.

The Bison tribe and its distinguishing marks-Its former existence in Palestine--

Its general habits-Origin of its name-Its musky odour-Size and speed of

the Bison-Its dangerous character when brought to bay-Its defence against

the Wolf-Its untameable disposition.

131

THE GAZELLE, OR ROE OF SCRIPTURE.

The Gazelle identified with the Tsebi, i.e. the Roe or Roebuck of Scripture—

Various passages relating to the Tsebi-Its swiftness, its capabilities as a

beast of chase, its beauty, and the quality of its flesh--The Tsebiyah rendered

in Greek as Tabitha, and translated as Dorcas, or Gazelle-Different varieties

of the Gazelle-How the Gazelle defends itself against wild beasts-Chase of

the Gazelle-The net, the battue, and the pitfall-Coursing the Gazelle with

greyhounds and falcons-Mr. Chasseaud's account of a hunting party-

Gentleness of the Gazelle

133

THE PYGARG, OR ADDAX.

The Dishon or Dyshon-Signification of the word Pygarg-Certainty that the

Dishon is an antelope, and that it must be one of a few species-Former and

present range of the Addax-Description of the Addax-The Strepsiceros

of Pliny

141

THE FALLOW-DEER, OR BUBALE.

The word Jachmur evidently represents a species of antelope-Probability that

the Jachmur is identical with the Bubale, or Bekk'r-el-Wash-Resemblance

of the animal to the ox tribe-Its ox-like horns and mode of attack-Its

capability of domestication-Former and present range of the Bubale—Its

representation on the monuments of ancient Egypt-Delicacy of its flesh-

Size and general appearance of the animal

143

The Ha

THE SHEEP.

Importance of Sheep in the Bible-The Sheep the chief wealth of the pastoral

tribes-Tenure of land-Value of good pasture-land-Arab shepherds of the

present day-Difference between the shepherds of Palestine and England-

Wanderings of the flocks in search of food-Value of the wells-How the

Th

Sheep are watered-Duties of the shepherd-The shepherd a kind of irregular

soldier-His use of the sling-Sheep following their shepherd-Calling the

Sheep by name—-
-The shepherd usually a part owner of the flocks-Structure

of the sheepfolds-The rock caverns of Palestine-David's adventure with

Saul-Penning of the Sheep by night-Use of the dogs-Sheep sometimes

brought up by hand-How Sheep are fattened in the Lebanon district-

The two breeds of Sheep in Palestine-The broad-tailed Sheep, and its

peculiarities—Reference to this peculiarity in the Bible-The Talmudical

writers, and their directions to sheep-owners
1 146

THE CHAMOIS.

The Zemer or Chamois only once mentioned in the Bible-Signification of the

word Zemer-Probability that the Zemer is the Aoudad-Appearance of the

Aoudad-Its strength and activity-Fierce temper of the adult male—Horns

of the Aoudad-Their probable use as musical instruments-Habits of the

Aoudad-The Mouflon probably classed with the Aoudad under the name of

Zemer-Appearance and habits of the Mouflon .

185

THE GOAT.

Value of the Goat-Its use in furnishing food-The male kid the usual animal of

slaughter-Excellence of the flesh, and deception of Isaac-Milk of the Goat

—An Oriental milking scene—The hair of the Goat, and the uses to which it

is put-The Goat's skin used for leather-The "bottle" of Scripture-Mode

of making and repairing the bottles-Ruse of the Gibeonites-The "bottle in

the smoke"-The sacks and the kneading-troughs-The Goat as used for

sacrifice-General habits of the Goat Separation of the Goats from the sheep

-Performing Goats-Different breeds of Goats in Palestine
189

THE WILD GOAT.

The Azelim or Wild Goats of Scripture identical with the Beden or Arabian Ibex---

Different names of the Beden--Its appearance and general habits-En-gedi,

or Goats' Fountain-The Beden formerly very plentiful in Palestine, and now

tolerably common-Its agility-Difficulty of catching or killing it-How the

young are captured—Flesh of the Beden—Use of the horns at the present day

-The Ako of Deuteronomy.
203

THE DEER.

The Hart and Hind of Scripture-Species of Deer existing in Palestine-Earliest

mention of the Hind-The Hart classed among the clean animals-Passages

alluding to its speed-Care of the mother for her young, and her custom of

secreting it-Tameable character of the Deer-The Rabbinical writers and

their theories--Shedding of the Deer's horns- Its fabled mode of sleeping-

The gall in the tail-Curious traditions of the enmity between Deer and

serpents-Virtues of a Deer-skin coat.
208

THE CAMEL.

CHAPTER I.

The two species of Camel, and the mode of distinguishing them-Value of the

Camel in the East-Camels mentioned as elements of wealth-Uses of the

Camel The Jews forbidden to eat its flesh-The milk of the Camel-Thirst-

enduring capability-The internal reservoir-The hump, and its uses to the

animal-The Camel as a beast of draught and burden-How the Camel is laden

-Knowledge of its own powers-Camels for riding-Difficulty of sitting a

Camel-A rough-paced steed-Method of guiding the Camel-The mesh'ab,

or Camel-stick of office-The women's saddle--Rachel's stratagem-Ornaments

of the Camel-The swift dromedary, Heirie, or Deloul-Its ungainly aspect-

Speed and endurance of the Deloul-The Camel-posts of Bornu-Camel-

drivers and their conduct-The driver's song-Young Camels and their

appearance-The deserted Camel

216

CHAPTER II.

The Camel and its master-Occasional fury of the animal-A boy killed by a

Camel --Another instance of an infuriated Camel-Theory respecting the

Arab and his Camel-Apparent stupidity of the Camel-Its hatred of a load,

and mode of expressing its disapprobation-Riding a Camel through the

streets - A narrow escape-Ceremony of weaning a young Camel-The Camel's

favourite food-Structure of the foot and adaptation to locality-Difficulty

in provisioning-Camel's hair and skin-Sal-ammoniac and desert fuel-

The Camel and the needle's eye-Straining at a gnat and swallowing a

Camel

233

THE BACTRIAN CAMEL.

General description of the animal-Its use in mountain roads--Peculiar formation

of the foot-Uses of a mixed breed-Its power of enduring cold-Used chiefly

as a beast of draught-Unfitness for the plough-The cart and mode of

harnessing The load which it can draw-Camel-skin ropes--A Rabbinical

legend
. 244

THE HORSE.

The Hebrew words which signify the Horse-The Horse introduced into Palestine

from Egypt-Similarity of the war-horse of Scripture and the Arab horse of

the present day-Characteristics of the Horse-Courage and endurance of the

Horse-Hardness of its unshod hoofs-Love of the Arab for his Horse-Diffi-

culty of purchasing the animal-The Horse prohibited to the Israelites--

Solomon's disregard of the edict-The war-chariot, its form and use-Probable

construction of the iron chariot-The cavalry Horse-Lack of personal interest

in the animal.

248

.

THE ASS.

Importance of the Ass in the East-Its general use for the saddle-Riding

the Ass not a mark of humility-The triumphal entry-White Asses-

Character of the Scriptural Ass-Saddling the Ass-The Ass used in agricul-

ture-The Ass's millstone-The water-wheel and the plough-Reminiscences

of the Ass in the Scriptural narrative-Its value as property-The flesh of

the Ass―The siege of Samaria and its horrors—Various legends respecting the

Ass-The impostor and his fate-Samson and Balaam.
264

THE WILD ASS.

The Arod and Pere of Scripture-Various allusions to the Wild Ass--Its swiftness

and wildness—The Wild Ass of Asia and Africa- Knowledge of the animal

displayed by the sacred writers-How the Wild Ass is hunted-Excellence of

its flesh-Sir R. K. Porter's meeting with a Wild Ass-Origin of the domestic

Ass-The Wild Asses of Quito.

. 279

THE MULE.

Ancient use of the Mule-Various breeds of Mule-Supposed date of its introduc-

tion into Palestine-Mule-breeding forbidden to the Jews-The Mule as a

saddle-animal-Its use on occasions of state-The king's Mule-Mules brought

from Babylon after the captivity—Obstinacy of the Mule-The Mule as a

beast of burden-The "Mule's burden" of earth-Mules imported by the

Phoenicians Legends respecting the Mule

285

SWINE.

The Mosaic prohibition of the pig-Hatred of Swine by Jews and Mahometans

-A strange use of bacon-The prodigal son-Resistance to the prosecution of

Antiochus-Swine hated by the early Egyptians-Supposed connexion between

Swine and diseases of the skin-Destruction of the herd of Swine--The

locality of the event discovered-Pigs bred for the monasteries-The jewel of

gold in a Swine's snout-The wild boar of the woods, and the beast of the

reeds-The damage which it does to the vines--General account of the wild

boar of Palestine-Excellence of its flesh.
292

THE ELEPHANT.

The Elephant indirectly mentioned in the Authorized Version-Solomon's ivory

throne-Ivory used in Egypt-Horns of ivory—The ivory palaces-Beds of

ivory-The Tyrian ships-Ivory mentioned by Homer-Vessels of ivory-

The Elephant as an engine of war-Antiochus and his Elephants—Oriental

exaggeration Self-devotion of Eleazar-Attacking the Elephants, and their

gradual abandonment in war-The Talmudical writers on the Elephant-A

funeral and an omen

THE CONEY, OR HYRAX.

302

The Shaphan of Scripture, and the correct meaning of the word-Identification

of the Shaphan with the Syrian Hyrax-Description of the animal-Its feet,

teeth, and apparent rumination-Passages in which the Coney is mentioned--

Habits of the animal-Its activity and wariness—The South African Hyrax,

and its mode of life-Difficulty of procuring it-Similarity in appearance and

habits of the Syrian species-Three species of Hyrax known to naturalists-

The Talmudical writers on the Shaphan-The jerboa and the rabbit-A

curious speculation and à judicious compromise.
312

ВЕНЕМОТН.

Literal translation of the word Behemoth-Various theories respecting the

identity of the animal-The Hippopotamus known to the ancient Hebrews—

Geographical range of the animal-"He eateth grass like the ox"-Ravages

of the Hippopotamus among the crops-Structure of the mouth and teeth—

The "sword or scythe" of the Hippopotamus-Some strange theories-Haunts

of the Hippopotamus-The Egyptian hunter—A valuable painting-Strength

of the Hippopotamus-Rising of the Nile-Modern hunters-Wariness of the

Hippopotamus-The pitfall and the drop-trap

318

BIRDS.

THE LÄMMERGEIER, OR OSSIFRAGE OF SCRIPTURE.

Difficulty of identifying the various birds mentioned in Scripture--The Vultures

of Palestine The Lämmergeier, or Ossifrage of Scripture-The Hebrew word

Peres, and its signification-The Ossifrage, or Bone-breaker-Appearance of

the Lämmergeier-Its flight and mode of feeding-How the Lämmergeier kills

snakes and tortoises, and breaks marrow-bones-Mode of destroying the

chamois and mountain sheep-Nest of the Lämmergeier.

333

.

THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE, OR GIER-EAGLE.

The Râchâm or Gier-Eagle identified with the Egyptian Vulture-Its appearance

on the Egyptian monuments-Signification of the word Râchâm-Various

translations of the word-The shape, size, and colour of the bird-Its value as

a scavenger, and its general habits-The Egyptian Vultures and the griffons-

Its fondness for the society of man-Nest of the Egyptian Vulture

339