450 WILD REASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



when they are loaded ready for the start. This tightens the girth- 

 ropes, which should be arranged to allow for the expansion. 



I have put in italics the " real desert animal," as much depends 

 upon the breed and habits of the camel. There are enormous 

 camels in Alexandria and Cairo that will carry 700 or 800 Ibs., 

 but they would be utterly useless in the desert These animals 

 are fed upon " burseem," a species of clover which is cut green ; 

 they also drink daily during the hot season, and upon alternate 

 days during the cold weather. 



If these camels were introduced into the deserts of Nubia, they 

 would be more akin to horses than to camels, as they would 

 require the same attention to provender and water. 



The Bishreen camel is much esteemed as a hardy beast, 

 .although it is not powerful in appearance. Uj>on a flat surface it 

 will travel with 500 Ibs., but in a hilly journey all camel loads 

 should be restricted to 400 Ibs. 



The Hadendowa animals are celebrated for rocky and uneven 

 ground, as they are born and bred among the mountains. This 

 breed is very sure-footed, and from its continual practice upon a 

 rough surface it does not get footsore during a march over broken 

 rocks. Between Berber and Souakim there is a portion of the 

 route strewed with obsidian ; this somewhat resembles broken 

 bottles, and is very dangerous to the feet of camels. 



It is a difficult matter to obtain a first-rate riding dromedary. 

 The name is merely optional, as there is no distinction except the 

 appearance of " thoroughbred," such as would be denoted in a 

 horse. The Arab sheiks decline to part with their best " hygeens " 

 upon any terms, although as a personal favour they will sell you 

 an inferior animal with a magnificently false reputation. 



A really good hygeen, carrying one rider upon a light Arab 

 saddle known as the " mogaloofah," should travel 80 miles, if for 

 only one day, at about 5 miles an hour. The same camel would 

 cover 60 miles, at 6 miles an hour. Such a first-class animal 

 would continue to travel 60 miles daily throughout the week at 

 this pace, resting occasionally during the day's march. 



When we consider that Weston the pedestrian walked 5000 

 miles in 100 consecutive days, making an average of 50 miles a 

 day throughout that lengthened period, the performance of the 

 hygeen does not appear remarkable ; but Weston could eat and 

 drink when he pleased. The wonderful advantage of the hygeen 

 lies in this : that a certain distance is absolutely devoid of 

 water or forage, it therefore would take three days of forced 

 marching, during which the baggage camels must carry their own 



