PURCHASE OF CAMELS P^OR MILITARY PURPOSES. 119 



great harm. As the plan I adopted has succeeded, I would not re- 

 commend any other^ and do not think it necessary to make any further 

 recommendation about the manner of feeding them. 



At 9 o'clock in the morning, after the deck was scrubbed up, the 

 men who attended them commenced currying them, combing their 

 long hair with wooden combs, and rubbing their legs^ joints, and feet, 

 with hard brushes ; this latter I found prevented their limbs from 

 swelling, and whenever any were swollen (which happened with two 

 or three) they were immediately rubbed with " British oil," which 

 effectually cured them. After the animals were thoroughly cleaned 

 an inspection of each one was carefully made, to see if there were 

 any signs of itch, or if they had any hurts ; once or twice it was found 

 that a camel could not get upon its legs. On the first occasion I con- 

 sulted one of the natives, who immediately recommended "cauterizing' ' 

 the back, as he said the animal had received a strain in that part, 

 or, what he said would be quite as effectual, was to pour boiling hot 

 pitch over her loins, and he was sure it would make her get up. I had 

 DO doubt of the efficacy of the application as regarded thecamel'sgetting 

 up quickly, but I tried a, more simple remedy and found it to answer 

 very well : I had the camel turned over on its side, rubbed the legs 

 well with hard brushes and made it kick out, after which a cut with 

 A small rope made it rise instantly. Camels are liable to this stiff- 

 ness from lying all night in a confined position, without being able to 

 turn over on their sides as they are accustomed to do when on shore. 

 I mention it as it might be mistaken for sickness ; it is a good rule to 

 make them get up on their legs during the night and not to let them 

 lie down too much in the day time. An observance of these little de- 

 tails will tend greatly to the success of transportation. 



Of the burden camel we did not procure any in Egypt, our atten- 

 tion being directed to Smyrna ; but from the manner in which the 

 dromedaries have borne the voyage, I think favorably of importing 

 the former from Egypt. These camels are generally of great size, 

 and many that I have seen would not be able to stand up under the 

 deck of the "Supply" by two or three inches. It is calculated that 

 they will carry 600 English pounds on a journey, not including the 

 saddle, which weighs at least 60 pounds more; for short distances they 

 will carry one thousand pounds. The best camels are the "Kufury," 

 or village camels of lower Egypt, which are worth from thirty to sev- 

 enty-five dollars, though it is likely we would have to pay more for 

 them, to say nothing of the pay of dragoman, presents, &c., which 

 runs the price up almost to double the original cost. The "Shemalieh" 

 or northern camels, found with the Anese Arabs, would be the most 

 likely to thrive, (so says a gentleman writing to Mr. De Leon,) and 

 the " Khowahir " and " Grudieh " breeds would be the best. I do 

 not think, however, that it is so safe an experiment as importing those 

 from Asia Minor or Tunis. 



On the 29th of January I anchored in Smyrna, and found that Mr. 

 Heap had purchased all the animals required, with the exception of 

 one or two which were afterwards added to the number ; he was em- 

 ployed when we arrived in having them all completely equipped with 

 saddles, bridles, coverings, &c., and had them comfortably lodged in 



