BREEDING 133 



unusual violence, and contrary to all recognised rules 

 of science, it will stand the strain, though it may have to 

 bend and swing to it, while the other has been swept 

 away and become a total wreck. The enormous 

 advantages which would accrue from the suggestion I 

 have made (when the scheme has had sufficient time in 

 which to develop) I think are almost too evident to 

 require explanation or admit of argument. In fact, 

 it is a question broader even than one would at first 

 sight imagine it to be, for it comes within the grasp of 

 that question of a Greater Britain and Imperial 

 Federation which is one of the possible, if not probable, 

 achievements of the future a conception so grand and 

 glorious that it almost turns one's head to look at it. 

 while the bare thought dazzles you with its blinding 

 glory. But to resume. Not only would we be able to 

 produce special breeds of riding and baggage camels, 

 superior in every respect, the former in speed, the 

 latter in weight-carrying capacity, and both of them 

 in stamina and powers of abstinence, but we should be 

 independent of the natives, and our men would learn 

 the treatment and management of an animal which at 

 present they look upon as the incarnation of all vice 

 and contrariness ; quite oblivious of the fact that to 

 their ignorance, and not to the animal's iniquities, is 

 due most of the troubles that are attendant on the line 

 of march. 



