275 



The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol. 

 XXIV. No. 72. Nov. 1857. New Haven. 8vo.— From the 

 Editors, 



Report of the Secretary of War, communicating in compliance with 

 a resolution of the Senate, of Feb. 2, 1857, information respecting 

 the purchase of Camels for the purposes of Military Transporta- 

 tion. Washington, 1857. 8\o.— From Major H. C. Wayne, 

 U. S. A. 



Major Wayne, of the U. S. Army, having been introduced 

 to the Society, made a communication relative to the intro- 

 duction of the camel into the south-v^restern territories of the 

 United States. 



He referred to the efforts made to induce the government to attempt 

 the introduction of the camel into our country; to the antiquity of the 

 uses of this anim.al, and its peculiar adaptation to an arid and sterile 

 region. He gave an account of the preliminary measures taken by 

 himself and others entrusted by the government with the execution of 

 the project; and of his visits to England and France in pursuit of in- 

 formation concerning the best means of carrying it into effect. 



He next spoke of the habits and capacity of the camel as a useful 

 animal, and of its great endurance under privations of food and water, 

 often going for six or seven days without drink, and sometimes as long 

 as ten days — remarking, at the same time, upon the easy and econo- 

 mical manner in which it may be subsisted. 



He pointed out the errors of Buffon, in his account of the camel 

 and dromedary, the latter name being unknown in the east. He 

 showed that both animals are properly camels, the variety with one 

 hump being used for riding. Its ordinary speed is about 60 miles in 

 a day's journey of eight hours; but it may be made to perform more 

 than this. The most useful camel of burden is a cross breed between 

 the two varieties. 



He referred to the peculiar conformation of the camel's stomach, 

 and to the physiological examinations which demonstrate its structure. 

 The hump of the camel is composed of a gelatinous fatty substance, 

 which, during long abstinence, is absorbed, and appears to act as a 

 source of sustenance. The eye is of a peculiar formation, enabHng 

 the animal to look downward and on both sides, almost without turn- 

 ing its head. The yielding nature of its spongy foot enables it to 

 tread safely over rough and stony paths, where the horse would travel 



