SPECIES AND BREEDS 107 



heavy loads, between 550 to 650 pounds, even in long 

 and continuous marches ; but they were specially well 

 looked after by their drivers, got 4 Ib. of wheat flour 

 daily in addition to their rations, and condition balls of 

 camphor and pepper every week. 



V.-S. Steel speaks of the Pahari camel ; but this is a 

 Hindustani word meaning hill, and is a generic term for 

 the hill in contradistinction to the plain camel, and 

 does not refer to any special breed. 



As I have previously remarked, I have never had Bactnan 

 any dealings with the Bactrian species, so will leave 

 them alone altogether, except to make casual mention 

 of those bred in Turkestan, which are said to be up to 

 great weight ; while I have read contradictory reports 

 of the Kirgeze camel, one stating that they can carry 

 up to 880 pounds, the other that they were shaggy and 

 undersized, and only up to average loads. I have 

 likewise heard of a breed which is said to exist in 

 Western Tartary, but is very rare, of a white colour, 

 and supposed to be sacred to the gods of the country. 

 Owing to its rarity and the sacredness of its character 

 it is only occasionally met with. There is also a breed 

 in Persia which is used to carry guns, there being a 

 special corps of this artillery in the Persian army. 



And now I think we have discussed this question which 



/Y i . . T i . colours 



sufficiently to give us some insight into the varying a nd 

 qualities of the various breeds. As to the colours preferred 

 which distinguish the different breeds among the Arabs, 

 brown, it appears, is not esteemed, reddish or light 

 grey being preferred. Black is rare, and in Arab lore 

 the black camel is looked upon as a sign of death. 

 Nubian camels, generally speaking, are white, or of a 



