the frontier of Arkansas to the Sierra Nevada. That part of Asia lies between 

 the 35th and 45th degrees of north hvtitudo. 



There is also a great resemblance between the climate and topography of 

 California and Syria, where the camel is successfully reared, and there is every 

 reason to believe that we could rear them upon our southern ranches as easily 

 as any other animal. 



Should this fact be well tested, we might then procure our stock for breeding 

 across the Pacific directly from India, Arabia or China. 



The power possessed by the camel of long abstinence from drink, will render 

 him invaluable in crossing our alkaline aud arid deserts of Utah and New 

 Mexico. 



He also possesses auotlicr quality eminently valuable, which is thus described 

 by Major C. H. Smith, of the British Army. 



" The camel sees and hears well, but of all his senses that of smell is the 

 most acute. By this beuifii.'ent provision when long deprived of water he will 

 snutF the air and discover its presence at the distance of more than two miles, 

 and disregarding all opposition, hasten to obtain it, stirring the water with his 

 feet to a state of mud before he drinks. By this faculty of the camel whole 

 caravans are sometimes saved from destruction; so that it is not only useful to 

 himself, but of the most vital importance to those who share his dangers and 

 fatigues." 



At this late period of the session, your Committee will not dilate either upon 

 the importance of encouraging the introduction of the camel, nor upon its nat- 

 ural history, uses and habits. The subject has been ably and fully treated by 

 Mr. Gwinu Harris Heap, the journalist of Lieut. Beale's late expedition over 

 the central route across our continent, and the Committee have appended to 

 this report an extract from the appendix to that work, which extract they hope 

 may be printed for circulation by Senators. It possesses the more value from 

 the fact that Mr. Heap was for some years a resident of Tunis, in northern 

 Africa, and is, therefore, practically familiar with the habits of the camel, and 

 fully capable by his recent explorations of judging of its adaptation to the 

 purposes of our interior travel. 



Senators and others who desire more closely to investigate this subject are 

 referred to Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, pages four and five, and thirty-seven to 

 fifty, where will be found an interesting note by Major Charles Hamilton Smith, 

 containing a fund of zoological, historical and practical information on this 

 subject; also, to the article "Camel," in Lieber's Encyclopedia Americana, vol. 2. 



In relation to the bill referred to the Committee, it has been deemed best to 

 present a substitute, which is herewith submitted; the reasons for which will be 

 explained verbally by the Chairman of the Committee, when the bill comes bo- 

 fore the Senate for consideration. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



By order of the Committee. 



S. DAY, 



Chairman. 



