CHARISMATIC MEGAFAUNA

By Quiconque

A Mother�s Tears

Prima and I were jealous of all the Philadelphia librarians who got to go to exciting film festivals. So, we held our own in the dank, over-air conditioned, basement screening room of the Lincoln Center theater. Last night, we saw The Story of the Weeping Camel.

It�s not often that I see a film about Mongolia. My knowledge of Mongolia is severely limited, based on grammar school studies of Genghis Khan and a Julia Roberts special on PBS.

The Mongols seemed to have calmed down since the 13th century. It�s hard to believe that these cheerful people are descendants of the hordes that so threatened the Qin Dynasty and inspired the building of the Great Wall. And the children are adorable. When Prima and I toured Bavaria, we noted that German children look like they�re made of marzipan and cake�round-faced with rosy cheeks. (No wonder so many Maarchen, or fairy tales, feature witches who threaten to devour children. They look so tasty!) The Mongolian children had this same look, smiley, sun-kissed, and extremely edible. We think it must be the milk.

I know even less about camels. I must say that the camels in this film were very charismatic. I could have done without the close-ups of the rheumy eyes and crusty backsides, but their facial expressions were priceless. The calf�s keening was particularly effective, causing the man next to me to flinch, tut, and groan at every instance of motherly rejection on the screen. (Abandonment issues, perhaps?)

So, inspired by the film, and ashamed of my ignorance, I decided to learn as much as I can about Mongolia and Mongolian camels. Here are some fun facts for you to trot out at your next cocktail party:

Mongolia

• Mongolia was incorporated into China during the Qing dynasty in the 1600s. Aided by Russia, it gained independence from China in 1921.

• The president of Mongolia is Natsagiyn BAGABANDI.

• Mongolian Independence Day is celebrated on July 11.

• Its legal system is a blend of Russian, Chinese, Turkish, and Western systems of law that combines aspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of a presidential system.

• The main natural resources of Mongolia are oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, and phosphate.

• The main natural hazards are dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which is harsh winter conditions.

• Mongolia is the largest land-locked country in Asia.

Camels

• Camels do not pant, and they perspire very little. A camel can raise its body temperature tolerance level as much as 6 degrees Celsius before perspiring, thereby conserving body fluids and avoiding unnecessary water loss. No other mammal can do this. Because the camel's body temperature is often lower than air temperature, a group of resting camels will even avoid excessive heat by pressing against each other.

• The best camel meat comes from young male camels.

• The two humps contain about 80 lbs of fat, not water as silly frivolous people might think. Bactrian camels DO have special pouches near the stomach for storing water.

• A thirsty camel can drink 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes.

• Camels have double rows of eyelashes, for flirting, and for keeping sand out of their doe-like eyes.

• During mating season competing males often sit on each other.

• Bactrian camels can climb mountains up to 13,000 feet in height.

• Camel's milk is more nutritious than cow's milk. It is lower in fat and higher in potassium, iron and Vitamin C.

• Although they are classified as herbivores, camels will eat anything, including meat, if regular food is scarce.

• Camels have very tough mouths and can probably peel potatoes faster than Sooner.

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