APPENDIX. 207 



From the beginning of the fifth year he is used for 

 riding and draught in Bessarabia ; from the beginning 

 of the fourth, in the Crimea, but for draught alone. 

 The female produces her first foal after the fifth year, 

 and thereafter every second year. The time of gesta- 

 tion is a year, that of lactation two years, and the dam. 

 is used during the latter period. 



In the Crimea, the camel is used only for drawing 

 heavy loads, but not for ploughing or other agricultural 

 labor, on account of his " unsteadiness." In Bessarabia, 

 however, he is employed regularly for all the labors of 

 rural industry. 



His fleece weighs about ten pounds, and is shed in 

 the summer, if not plucked off by hand. The Tartars 

 manufacture a coarse cloth from it. The wool sells at 

 five silver rubles the pood of about thirty six pounds 

 Eng. The skin is thought not equal to that of the ox. 

 It is principally used raw for thongs, ropes, straps, &c., 

 and sells for three or four silver rubles. The milk is 

 used in a great variety of ways. The yield is about 

 two quarts. The flesh is eaten and resembles beef, if 

 the animal is fat, otherwise it is tough and disagreeable. 

 The bones and intestines have not been applied to any 

 practical use. 



The Bactrian travels from seventy to seventy-five 

 versts (46 to 50 miles) a day, without eating, drinking, 

 or halting. His gait is regular, and his speed con- 

 siderably exceeds that of the ox. He cannot be used 

 on muddy ground, not so much from any liability to slip 

 and fall, as because the wet earth adheres to his feet, 

 and makes him restive and impatient. In the Crimea 



