PUECHASE OF CAIVIELS FOE MILITAEY PUEPOSES. 81 



attending to 120 females in the course of the rutting season. For the 

 most part the breeding male is not worked, so that he may be strong 

 and in good condition for breeding. But few females are barren, say 

 " one per centum." No males impotent. The camels of the Beda- 

 ween do little but breed. The pregnant camel is rarely loaded, and 

 then but lightly. Pregnancy is 14 months ; not worked until the 

 calf is 10 months old, when she is also ready for the male again. 



Question 8. The mothers care for them. At 10 months the nose of 

 the calf is adorned with a nail, so as to prevent suckling, or this is 

 delayed till 12 months. He begins to bear burdens at 3 to 4 years. 

 They begin by catching them and binding some light thing about 

 them, as a carpet or two, and turning them loose with it. Some 

 camels attain to the age of 25 years^ bearing burdens, but a camel of 

 15 years is called old. 



Question 9. Chiefly from marsh grass in spring and summer, rest 

 of the year no harm. No remedy. Heavy burdens in spring and 

 summer also disease them. Eemedy, cautery in chest. For boils and 

 irruptions in the skin the camel is dressed with a coat of tar. If the 

 shoulder is sprained by a fall, the remedy is the " actual cautery ; " 

 if a bone is broken, " no remedy," let them die ; if the neck becomes 

 awry, apply the cautery to the side of the neck freely, thus, | { | | 

 and cut a gash in the top of the head, and sew it up with thread of 

 wool ; abrasions from the pack saddle, apply pounded alum dry. If 

 a wounded camel smells any spice or drug, he dies, unless the wound 

 be cut semi-circularly around with a knife. The " Indee " can with 

 impunity eat all grasses, and endure all insects; but for six months, 

 spring or summer, these are deadly to the Khoo-war, as before 

 mentioned. 



Question 10. 300 to 700 piastres ; from 300 to 700 francs ; but if the 

 calf is a year and a half old it is worth 100 to 150 francs. 



Question 11. The '^Indee" is preferred for the reasons above given, 

 and there is also a fancy value from color, &c. , &c. , but as to actual 

 worth no difference. 



Question 12. Called " Delool." The only difference is in the train- 

 ing. A she "Delool" is no longer a "Delool" after she has become 

 pregnant, but her calf stands a better chance than an ordinary calf. 

 A first rate " Delool " will go to Aleppo via Orfa in 6 or 7 days, eat- 

 ing what she picks by the way, unless in early winter before the grass 

 starts, when there is nothing to eat. If emergency requires, she will 

 go three days without drink. 



Question 13. Unless the "Delool," not known. 



Question 14. Scanderoon (Alexandretta) any time, but better avoid 

 the wet winter months. 



Question 15. Frequently caravans from here visit Scanderoon and 

 Busrah 



Note to question 1. The average size here is about " one yard 

 high ;" when lying down, 5 feet 4 inches, to 5 feet 8 inches long from 

 tail to root of neck ; 3 feet from shoulder to head and from 3 feet 

 4 inches, to 3 feet 7^ inches in leg ; height measured to the callosity 

 on which they rest when lying. 



Note to question 7. The two-humped camel found at Thaiserea, &c., 



Ex. Doc. 62 6 



