109 



CHAPTEE V 



BREEDING 



I EEGRET to say that this is a subject with which I 

 have had little to do, beyond having witnessed the 

 birth of a few calves, and I regret it all the more 

 because it is one of special importance, and upon which 

 the ultimate utility of the full-grown animal depends. 

 This is too self-evident to need any further explanation ; 

 but I am firmly of opinion that were the weight of 

 European intelligence and science brought to bear on 

 this very vital question, in co-operation with the 

 experience and knowledge of the Arabs, the result 

 would be extremely satisfactory ; and just as we in 

 England made such a vast improvement in the breed 

 of horses by a judicious blending of breeds, and great 

 care and attention, we can, I maintain, do equally well 

 with the camel. Not that I mean to say that the 

 Asiatic and African races are altogether careless and 

 inattentive, but there is no doubt that they leave a 

 great deal to Kismet, or chance. If more care 

 and greater supervision were exercised among the 

 young camels a far better result would be obtained ; 

 and a still greater improvement by the intermixture 

 of good breeds, and by less interbreeding, which in the 

 long run must tend to deteriorate the stamina and 

 physique of the race. 



