54 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



stone* and sulphur are sometimes administered', but I rather think 

 principally by Europeans. The treatment for itch is, separation from 

 the rest of the herd, and applications of tar to the parts affected ; 

 for pneumonitis, warm covering and purges of rancid butter or olive 

 oil. Our own intelligent treatment, however, of the diseases of other 

 animals will, I believe, Be more effectual also with those of the 

 camel than the limited and simple remedies of Arabs and Turks. 

 The itch appears to be particularly a disease of the camel, and easily 

 produced, especially in the southern and warm portion of " camel 

 land/' as in Africa, where it is very prevalent, and apparently but 

 little regarded. From observation and inquiry, I suppose it to be 

 rarely fatal, and only when_, from neglect and starvation, the blood 

 becomes completely tainted, and the animal's system thoroughly 

 corrupt. 



The camel will wade streams, even up to the hump^ but reluctantly, 

 and is said by many writers to be unable to swim. Mr. Ayrtoun, 

 though, (see No. 3,) says that it can swim. He is the only authority 

 for this assertion that I have meet with. 



The camel belongs also to the class of retromingents. 



THE HUMP. 



This particular characteristic of the camel, viewed, when its purpose 

 is understood, in connexion with its ability to carry its own supply of 

 water for several days, exhibits one of those wonderful adaptations, 

 by the Almighty, of animals to country that excite our admiration 

 and reverence. Composed of gelatinous fat, it contributes a stock' of 

 provision that, by reabsorption, furnishes the animal with sustenance 

 when the nature of the country, or other unfortunate contingency, 

 deprives it of a supply of food sufficient for its exertions. Stored thus, 

 by the wise arrangement of Providence, with water and with food to 

 meet for several days, should necessity or misfortune require it, the 

 exigencies of an arid and unproductive country, the camel has not 

 inaptly been called "the ship of the desert." So well is the use of 

 the hump understood in the east, that the condition of the animal is 

 judged of and its improvement, after a long and severe journey, 

 measured by it. It is not uncommon to see camels come in, after 

 long and painful journeys, with backs almost straight, exhibiting but 

 little of any hump. 



Beyond this supplying with food by reabsorption, the hump does 

 not seem to be intimately connected with the animal's vitality ; for 

 Linant Bey informed me that he had repeatedly opened, with a sharp 

 knife, the humps of his dromedaries when, from high feeding, they 

 had become so plump as to prevent the fitting of the saddle, and 

 removed large portions of the fat without in any manner injuring or 

 affecting the general health of the animal. 



USEFULNESS OF THE CAMEL. 



The usefulness of the Bactrian, as far as known to me, has been 

 already mentioned. That of the Arabian will be considered, first 



