288 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Poisonous 

 plants. 



Moh. 



Green 

 food. 



Bhusa. 



Method of 

 feeding. 



ground and given with the leaves. Saline plants which are collectively 

 known as "lahna" shrubs, are favourite fodder in the districts where 

 they occur. Bamboo, bir, holly oak, sugar cane, custard apple, tamarind, 

 fig, mango, sheeshum, wild olives, and thistles are all eaten by camels. 



It must be remembered that all camels will not eat every plant 

 enumerated, but favour those only which are found in their own 

 locahties ; if moved to another district they may take a little while to 

 become accustomed to the change of fodder. 



Poisonous plants. — The "Oleander" (Kenar) a large handsome 

 shrub, with lanceolate leaves, and bunches of white, yellow, or pink 

 blossoms, is common all over India, and poisonous for horses and 

 camels. Hill camels coming to the plains are most likely to suffer. 



It produces symptoms of drowsiness, vomiting, and subsequently 

 unconsciousness and death in eight hours to two days. 



Stimulants of any sort, in full quantity, are good treatment, and a 

 purge should be given at once. 



Several poisonous plants are found in Somaliland. " /r^/«," a bush 

 eight to ten feet high, with bunches of light green, candle-like stems 

 radiating from a common centre, is quickly fatal to camels. Ponies do 

 not eat it. 



" Moh" a bush with small yellow berries ; " lVal?aro" from which the 

 local arrow poison is obtained ; ^^ Boa," a vivid green plant exuding a 

 milky sap ; and " Haroo7i" are all said to be poisonous. 



The Adthai tree (Arabic Rukh), found in Somaliland, produces violent 

 diarrhoea in ;inimals freshly imported. 



Greefi food of any description is welcome to the camel. All green 

 grain crops, the pea and bean tribe, and clovers, are eaten with avidity ; 

 and if the animals have been on dry food only, or are hungry, they 

 should not be allowed to gorge themselves on first entering a field of 

 succulent fodder. They generally overeat themselves under these 

 circumstances, and may suffer from flatulent colic, which may prove fatal ; 

 their grazing on such food should be limited to begin with. 



" /)V^/?j"cz," z>, broken straw, is fed to camels when grazing or other 

 fodder is not to be procured, and may, with advantage, be mixed with 

 their grain rations to ensure thorough mastication. " Missa Bhoosa " is 

 the most suitable variety, but it is not so digestible as the previously 

 described plants or hay. 



Method of fecdi?ii^.— On the completion of the march, or morning 

 portion of it, the animals should be grazed till afternoon, and fed with 

 grain in the evening after being brought back to camp. In addition, 

 whatever fodder has been collected for them is given after the grain food, 



