22 



the parts under the saddle" (Yaldwin), or, preferably, an ordinary 

 mnne comb and one of those hand gloves known in India as 

 Copois. In hot weather (and annually in Arabia) camels are 

 sheared,* one shear per 25 camels being allowed by Government; 

 an allowance of oil to protect the body surface from the sun is 

 also given. 



The Camel should after grooming be carefully examined as to 

 freedom from galls, bruises to the feet, thorns in the foot pads, 

 or sole overworn, and other contingencies frequent on the march. 

 This, too, is the time for careful inspection of the animals by 

 the officer in charge or responsible for their condition ; apart from 

 the general appearance of the animal reliance must be placed 

 on the fulness o£ the depressions above the eyes, plumpness 

 of the hump, and absence of a " tucked up" look and traces of 

 diarrhoea. The nose should be examined as to its fi-eedom from 

 lacerations, and the skin pads as to the absence of bruises. The 

 animals should then be fed with their allowance of grain. The 

 whole amount may be given as one feed, it is not sufficiently 

 bulky nor allowed in such an amount as to cause inconvenience 

 to a ruminant. In permanent lines mud troughs may be made 

 for the animals to feed from but on service all camels should be 

 formed up in one or two lines, the ration of each placed before him 

 on the chursah and those which do not get on very well may be 

 hand-fed ; the Serwan taking a full right handful, placing his 

 left hand on the camel's nose and throwing the grain in Avhen 

 the animal turns its head and opens its mouth as it will do when 

 ready for another mouthful. All the grain having been thus 

 given, the camels may be fastened for the night, their saddles 

 put on, and, left with fodder before them. It is advisable to put 

 the saddles on overnight before it gets dark, because they cause 

 no inconvenience to the animal, if adjusted in the dark of the 

 early morning galls would be more frequent from hasty and care- 

 less work, also loading camels is a matter of time and if the sad- 

 dles be left on ready for the morrow's march the camels need be 

 disturbed fully half an hour later than if they had to be saddled. 

 Again, sleeping in the saddles keeps the camel warm and there 

 is no greater enemy to the efficiency of a camel transport than 

 cold nights and imperfect protection from rain. 



* lu the Punjab camels are shorn in March and give about 3 lbs. of hair. 



