286 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



In the 

 .Somali- 

 land ex- 

 pedition. 



Grazinj 



In the Somalila7id Expedition^ Indian and riding camels received their 

 usual rations and hay, in lieu of other fodder, 20- lbs. Somali and 

 Arabian camels received 4 lbs. of grain only (gram, barley or jowari) and 

 fodder as above. 



In Egypt " dhourra " is the grain usually given. 



The foregoing are good rations and the outcome of experience. Grain, 

 especially barley, should be crushed if possible ; with jowari and other 

 millets however it is not so necessary, and cannot always be carried out. 



Gram, oats, rice or other forage grains may be utilized if necessary and 

 if judiciously fed, they are all useful. Beans were used in the Nile 

 Expedition, but are said to have caused diarrhoea. 



Gt-azing. — Whilst everyone agrees that camels require at least six 

 hours' grazing daily, it appears to be equally certain that this is the 

 hardest possible thing to get for them on service, even v/hen it is plentiful. 

 Under military conditions, camels seldom get enough grazing, and they 

 will not graze in the heat of the day in warm weather. This necessity for 

 long hours of grazing does not of course apply where fodder can be 

 supplied, but this of course is not possible on the march. 



While, however, the military situation may not admit of six hours 

 daily, this is the standard to be aimed at if condition is to be maintained. 

 The plants that a camel eats are very numerous and vary in every 

 district, many being of the most unlikely appearance and thorny to a 

 degree, but if accustomed to them they are excellent feed. 



Various Edible Plants— In Egypt. 



Ghulain. Ghidain (Arabic, Saumiir\ the prevailing growth in the Handub 



jungle, is a small scrub of green-gray colour. It grows to a height of 

 two to three feet, has no leaves or thorns, and the smaller branches are 

 covered with green specks. 



Aus. Aus (Arabic, Shoosh\ a strong, jointed, knotty grass, of a dingy pale 



green and in parts hay-like. Found in separate tufts three or four feet 

 high. 



Habow. Haboiv (Arabic, Haali laags), a moss-like, bulbous, ground 



creeper, without thorns, found in the open, two or three inches high and 

 also round the roots of Ghulain and Aus. Sprigs of green bulbs spring 

 from a tough stem. It is juicy, aromatic and somewhat salt, found in 

 considerable quantities and relished as a camel food. 



Marokh. Marokh (Arabic, Aaqwaid)^ a broom-like, rushy plant, most plentiful 



in the beds of dry streams. 



