NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 207 



of Isothermg, corresponding as nearly as I could trace them, with those of Asia, 

 and was led to believe that in Texas, somewhere, I should meet with climates 

 similar to many of those in Asia, in which the Camel lived ; and by the time the 

 bill was passed, and indeed for two years before it, I was prepared with a 

 digested plan, which I am happy to say was carried out without change, and 

 so far fortunately. Nearly two years' experience with the animal on this con- 

 tinent has given satisfactory proof that it will live, propagate and flourish 

 among us. In connection I would here mention, that within a few days I have 

 heard that a fossil camel bone has been discovered in the West, and is so de- 

 clared to be by one of your distinguished members, Dr. Leidy. If this be so, I 

 adopt the fact as evidence, further, that the Camel may be domesticated 

 among us. 



Desirous of informing myself thoroughly of the difficulties in my way, and 

 that I might be certain of having taken them all in, I visited England and France 

 on my route to the East, for the purpose of discussing the matter there with 

 men of science, and of profiting by their suggestions. In England I was cordially 

 received, especially by Professor Owen, and D. W. ilitchell, Esq., Secretary of 

 the Zoological Society, London, and met everywhere with encouragement. Prof. 

 Owen and Mr. Mitchell expressed themselves confidently as to our success. To 

 these two gentlemen mv warmest thanks are due for facilities, encouragement 

 and practical suggestions. In France, I did not mt^et with the same support. In- 

 deed, my visit was at an unfavorable period. The sympathies of this country, 

 with Russia in the struggle then going on, the vile abuse in certain of the papers 

 of the Emperor and Empress, the fillibustering attempts on Cuba, and our own 

 difference in relation to the Consul at San Francisco pending at the time, 

 created in governmental circles impressions not the most favorable to Ameri- 

 cans ; and I found so many delays interposed that the prosecution of my re- 

 searches in that direction (in regard to military experience with the animal in 

 Algeria) were discontinued. The men of science with whom I conversed, spoke 

 doubtingly of the result; indeed, did not think I could transport so many 

 animals, 30 to 40, across the Atlantic, and doubted if those that might be landed 

 would live. With true French idiosyncrasy they examined the question only 

 with regard to Algeria, and did not apparently extend their investigations to 

 the hardier races of Asia. The more I learned, the more convinced was I of 

 the feasibility of the experiment, the only difficulty in the way being the 

 transportation of so many animals across the sea. But on this point I was 

 also sanguine, the Secretary of War having, at my request, committed that 

 portion of the experiment to Lieut. Porter, of the Navy, an officer of ability, 

 ingenuity and experience, and whose complete success fully demonstrated the 

 propriety of the selection. 



If my appreciation of the animal from reading only had been such as to in- 

 duce me to give it so much time, and to risk so much of reputation, you may 

 imagine my estimation of it when landed in the East ; I saw it in use, not only 

 sustaining, but exceeding the limits of utility within which I had restricted 

 my expectations and my declarations. It is really a noble animal, and one of 

 the most wonderful adaptations of the Infinite to the wants of his creatures. 

 Provided with water, as you all know, for several days by the peculiar forma- 

 tion of its stomach, and with sustenance in its ungainly hump, strongly built in 

 front for burdens, and with a protuberant eye that ensures its footing; its fitness 

 tor deserts andfor an irregular, broken country, deficient in water or herbage, are 

 palpably evident. With regard to the particular physical structure which ena- 

 bles it to carry a supply of water for three or four — even, in some cases, seven — 

 days, I have not yet been satisfied. The Camel is a ruminant, and with others 

 of that class has distinctly its four stomachs. The idea of a fifth, as has been 

 adopted by some, I think we must discard. How, then, is the water carried? 

 The best opinion now is, I think, that it is contained in the coatings of the first 

 stomach, in a number of small cells, as water is held in the melon. Such is 

 the view of General Carbreccia, who conducted the experiment with camels in 

 the service of the French army in Algeria. And that the Camel, by muscular 



1857.] 



