228 



PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



To resume, we will add to what we have said of the zemhoureksy 

 that their name, which signifies luasp, indicates perfectly the kind of 

 service they render ; for it is their duty to harrass, worry, cat off, 

 and attack at a thousand points,, simultaneously, the troops against 

 which they are directed. 



I think I have adduced sufficient evidence in support of my opinion 

 of the utility of dromedaries in an army; leaving nothing to be 

 added to what I have said, and shall, therefore, conclude my state- 

 ments with the following table: 



Load of the dromedary, consisting of the armament and equipment of 



the zembouretchi. 



Desiffnation. 



Livres.* 



Weight of the cannon, pivot, and sponare staff. 



Weight of the saddle, aaddle-cloth, girths, bridle, housing', and 

 ornaments 



Weight of the ammunition-pouches and ammunition. 



Weight of the rations of the cannoneery consisting of three hvres 

 of bread, and of the dromedary, consisting of six livres of 

 meal mixed with rye, and made into balls, and of twelve livres 

 of hay or straw 



Weight of the zembouretchi (cannoneer) 



Total 



^Comparative table of the length and velocity of the ambling step of a 



loaded dromedary. 



Designation. 



Weight 



of the load in 



livres,* 



Dromedary with a full load 



Dromedary with the zembourek. . . . 



Dromedary with only a rider and his 



saddle 



720 

 450 



180 



Number of 



steps in a 



minute. 



80 

 90 



100 



Length of Distance tra- 

 the step in versed in an 

 centimetres. fhour-metresi 



0.80 

 1.10 



1.30 



3,840 

 5,940 



7,800 



* A livre=1.0780 lbs. avoirdupois. — (Ordnance Manual, 1850 ; page 417.) 



t A centimetre=0. 039371 inches.— (Ordnance Manual, 1850 ; page 413.) 



j A TOetre==39. 37079 inches.— (Ordnance Manual, 1850; page 413.) H. C. W. 



The trot and gallop of the dromedary are very disagreeable. The 

 first can only be used in executing manoeuvres upon the field of 

 battle ; if kept up for any length of time, as, for instance, from one 

 stage to another, the load of the zembouretchi would be completely 

 shaken to pieces, and the man worn out with fatigue. The drome- 

 dary, we have already said, takes the gallop with difficulty, almost 

 never when loaded, and keeps it up for a very short time. The 

 amble is its true gait, and the only one that can.be counted upon. 



The swiftness of the dromedary cannot be compared wtth that of 

 the horse, for he has neither his impatience nor impetuosity. Neither 



