118 THE CAMEL 



from such a class of parents. For, as Darwin says, ' in 

 the breeding of domestic animals the elimination of 

 those individuals, though few in number, which are in 

 any marked manner inferior is by no means an unim- 

 portant element towards success.* But it is more than 

 this, it is of vital importance ; and in order to produce 

 a breed of the greatest vitality and vigour it is abso- 

 lutely necessary to eliminate all animals of marked 

 mental and physical inferiority. 



If we take all these points into consideration it will 

 be acknowledged that there is a good foundation to 

 account for the mental and physical defects of the 

 camel, the former especially. And though we can 

 never hope to produce an animal equal to him in his 

 initial state, we have every reason to expect a result 

 that is worth the trial, and a considerable improvement 

 on the present type. 



It is on these grounds that I advocate special care 

 and attention being devoted to the breeding of the 

 camel. And there can be no doubt whatever that, if it 

 is taken up seriously, and made purely a question of 

 practical science, the results in a few years would more 

 than repay the cost and trouble. 



Butting It is only at certain seasons during the year that 



both male and female camels begin to rut, and, as we 

 have previously remarked, they become passionate and 

 ungovernable, and the female is dangerous to ride and 

 liable to run away ; in fact, on the whole, the male is at 

 all times the safer animal to ride or drive. Aristotle 

 says that in Arabia the season commences towards the 

 end of November, and ends early in December ; but 

 among the various breeds I have seen, I have not 



season 



