98 THE CAMEL 



and snow, and which would render him better fitted to 

 travel on wet marshy ground, and most certainly over 

 slippery stony hills, the extra hardness of the sole of 

 the foot being an additional reason. 



Compa- Opinion seems divided as to which species is the 



better of the two, and one Eussian writer says that the 

 Arabian is far more enduring than the Bactrian, conse- 

 quently is more expensive ; but I am inclined to think 

 that each is most suitable in its own climate and on 

 its own soil, the geographical and geological conditions 

 being so opposite, the former being better adapted to 

 work in a cold climate and a mountainous country, 

 and the latter in a hot and level one. And this remark 

 applies equally to breeds. On the whole, however, from 

 what I can gather, the Bactrian is perhaps the hardier of 

 the two, and has the greater weight-carrying power ; and 

 the Arabian is the lighter and handier, consequently is 

 more adaptable as a riding animal. As regards endu- 

 rance and abstinence from water and food there is, 

 however, a vast difference between breeds, depending 

 entirely where and how the camel has been bred. 

 Those of the Arabian, Syrian, and Nubian deserts are 

 naturally far more enduring than those of Egypt, Ana- 

 tolia, or India, which have always been accustomed to 

 a greater supply of water, and to greener and more 

 succulent food. 



Drome- It is generally supposed that by the term ' drome- 



dary ' is meant the Arabian in contradistinction to 

 the Bactrian species ; but from the derivation of the 

 word I should say it applied to the running or riding 

 camel, from the Greek dromeus, a runner, or 

 dromas, running, the name having been given to 



