90 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOE MILITARY PURPOSES. 



saddle is attached to the hody of the camel hj a girth fastened to the 

 middle of the rif^ht side of the cross bar, the first half of the girth in 

 front of the saddle passing over the sternum. The second half of the 

 girth behind the saddle is placed according to the sex of the animal, 

 either in front of the udder or behind the sheath. This portion of the 

 girth is apt to wound the animal in its most sensitive part^ and re- 

 quires to be carefully looked to on the road and in saddling. It must 

 be often cleaned and covered with sheep skin with the wool on. The 

 girth is of leather, four or five inches wide, and should also be lined 

 with sheep skin where it takes over the breast. The lashings or ropes 

 for the cargo should be of soft texture also, as the camel easily chafes. 



HALTEE. 



The halter should be used, as it familiarizes the animal to man ; 

 perhaps the halter can be advantageously substituted by a ring 

 passed through the nose, as is the custom in Eygpt. The camel is 

 then as much the slave of man as the horse. 



MANNER OF CONDUCTING AND MANAGEMENT. 



Camels in their management require much care, judgment and 

 attention. When the males are sent to pasture, they must be separated 

 from the females as much as possible. It is also necessary to guard 

 against the camels eating what horses may have left from their feed 

 of the previous night. In summer and in autumn the camel should 

 be watered once in three days. If in a bad road the animal falls, 

 especially if caused by fatigue, he must be well attended to. To make 

 him rise, slap him on the flanks now and then, cheering him as is the 

 custom. If it becomes necessary to use blows, strike sharply, but 

 only on the thighs, never on the head or belly. When harshness fails, 

 give him some of his favorite food, a few thistles, or other plant of his 

 liking, after which whistle sharply, when he will rise and continue his 

 march. Previous to setting out on a long march, when forage is ex- 

 pected to be scarce, (or known to be so,) the fattest and most vigorous 

 camels should be selected. Care should be taken to relax the pace 

 when the train is passing through a country containing good feed, as 

 the conductor can regain the lost distance so as to encamp at a reason- 

 able hour. It is not true that the camel's load can be left on it all 

 night with impunity, for the animal likes to roll and lie on its side as 

 do other animals. The camel cannot be habitually used in a moun- 

 tainous country_, and if in case of necessity he is so used it must be in 

 the dry season. He can ascend acclivities to the grade of "forty five 

 degrees" even when loaded. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



A train or troop of camels consists ordinarily of one hundred, thirty- 

 five to forty of which are females. Two of the finest males are reserved 

 to be used as stallions, the others are castrated. Every spring the 

 animal sheds his coat. 



