210 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



forward confidently to the. day when they will be found in general use in all parts of the 

 country. The idea that their feet would break down in travelling over rocky ground is 

 an exploded absurdity. In all the explorations, over the roughest possible volcanic 

 rock, they have been with us, patiently packing water, of which they never drank a 

 drop, and corn, of which they never tasted a grain. On the expedition, from which I 

 returned yesterday, they were four days without water, and apparently without feeling 

 the want of it. * * * * * * * 



(Signed) E. F. Beale." 



On one occasion, shortly after landing the first importation, and when carry- 

 ing them up from the Coast of San Antonio, the Camels broke suddenly from 

 tlie road and rushed furiously towards one spot a little distance from it. Fear- 

 ful that something had gone amiss, I was hastening towards them with anxiety, 

 when I was met by one of the Turks, holding out to me a plant, and with a face 

 beaming with pleasure. Through the American interpreter, he informed me that 

 it was a plant of which the Camel was particularly fond, and that they had simul- 

 taneously smelt or seen it, and rushed for it. Hence their unusual vehemence. 

 This, as you may suppose, came cheerfully home to me. For if the land bore 

 Camels' food, why not the Camels too? The plant was apparently of the same 

 class as purslane, but though I showed some of it to various persons in Texas, I 

 could hear nothing of its name or quality. 



I have now, gentlemen, endeavored to entertain you so far with these few 

 desultory remarks, and hope I have succeeded in enlisting your interest. I 

 have already occupied too much of your time, and will therefore close by re- 

 ferring to the official Report of the Secretary, published by the Senate, for any 

 further information in detail that you may require. 



Major Wayne further, in reply to a question, stated that the cost of the 

 Camels landed in America, including all expenses, averaged about $105; and 

 that the Camel bore the sea voyage better than any animals he had seen car- 

 ried at sea. That on this point, they were all agreeably relieved. As soon as 

 the vessel became uneasy, the Camels would lie down of their own accord, and 

 so remain until the gale subsided ; and that it was only necessary to secure 

 them from chafing. That from some experience and observation of the 

 transportation of horses and mules during the war with Mexico, be unhesitat- 

 ingly said that he would rather carry 100 Camels at sea, than ten horses or 

 mules. That one of the Camels presented to him by the Bey of Tunis, was on 

 board nine months without leaving the ship, and that he continued in good 

 health, and was now one of the finest of our Camels. 



Dr. Leidy observed, in connection with the interesting remarks of Major 

 Wayne, on the introduction of the Camel into North America, that he had been 

 led by his palaeontological researches to believe the experiment would prove a 

 successful one, and he had so stated his impressions in conversation with mem- 

 bers of the Academy. The grounds of his opinion were founded upon the fol- 

 lowing facts and inferences. The Horse existed during the pliocene period in 

 America, in association with the Elephant, Mastodon, Ox, Deer, Bear, Peccary, 

 Megalonyx, Lion, Capybara, Camel, &c. This fauna most probably indicates 

 the temperature of the American continent, as then formed, to be what it is 

 now, or nearly so. Though most of the genera mentioned became extinct in 

 North America, the others abundantly exist, and the subsequent introduction 

 of the Horse has been exceedingly fruitful in its results. As remains of the 

 Camel (Camdops Kansanus) have been discovered in Kansas Territory, and 

 a congener, the Lama, still exists in South America, the reasons are favorable 

 to the introduction of the recent Camel in this country. 



Deccmher 2dih, 1857. 

 Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 

 The Committees to whom were referred the following papers, re- 

 ported in favor of publication, viz : 



[December, 



