164 THE CAMEL 



certain amount of forage. It is no wonder that on 

 service our losses in camel-flesh are so abnormally 

 heavy and disproportionate, because, apart from other 

 causes, we so frequently overfeed them with grain to 

 make up for deficiency of forage ; and even when we 

 have sufficient forage we underfeed them with it it 

 being in reality not only a necessary of life, but an 

 absolute necessity to keep life together, especially 

 when we are taxing that life to the utmost. 



Curiously enough we seem to lose sight of the fact 

 that the abstaining powers of the camel, though dual, 

 are unequal, and that he cannot endure hunger as well 

 as he does thirst. Or is it simply ignorance with most 

 of us ? Or yet, again, is it mere thoughtlessness, or an 

 utter indifference and disregard for the poor brute's life ? 

 I am pleased to say that on this point Lieut. Massoutier 

 is of the same opinion as myself, and he recommends 

 that a camel should get 30 to 40 kilos, of forage daily, 

 and at least three or four hours' grazing a day. And 

 what he goes on to say that c a camel can go from four to 

 camel can five days' journey with grazing alone, but it is better 

 graling, then to supplement it by grain, and it is necessary 

 afterwards to give him one or two days' rest in a good 

 pasturage.' An average specimen of an ordinary breed 

 will do this, whereas one of a good breed will carry on 

 easily for double that time, and in their own deserts, 

 if the grazing is good and plentiful, for longer, pro- 

 vided water is frequently -obtainable say, every alter- 

 nate day at the least. The whole question, in fact, is 

 distinctly conditional, and on these two conditions i.e. 

 an abundance of natural food and water they could in 

 proper hands work and subsist for weeks. But if the 



