244 THE CAMEL 



tow or some such fibre which would not easily pul- 

 verise like straw. One of the chief points in a good 

 saddle is to make the frame so that it will not rest on 

 the hump or spine, and press too much on the ribs. 

 This is easily done by making the frame light and com- 

 pact, with a well-padded panel, so that when the load is 

 placed on the saddle there should be a plentiful supply 

 of ventilation, with a free current of air passing right 

 through. This framework and saddle, with ropes for 

 securing them to the animal, should not weigh more 

 than 40 to 45 Ib. The ropes belonging to the saddle 

 are the girths, crupper, and neck band ; while for other 

 purposes there is a leading-rope, headstall, nose-string, 

 and net or bag to carry loads in, and a blanket, which 

 is indispensable when the nights are cold. Hobbles are 

 sometimes used to secure camels with, instead of tying the 

 fore legs with ropes. These in all weigh another 40 Ib., 

 which gives a total weight of 80 to 85 Ib., which is quite 

 enough when you consider that he will have to carry a 

 load of from 300 to 400 Ib. maybe. Some transport autho- 

 rities state that the weight of the saddle complete (items 

 as above given) should be 114 Ib. This I totally disagree 

 with, as I think it is far too heavy. A mat, cloth, or 

 hide, for feeding purposes, is also necessary. Taulins or 

 coverings to protect the loads should be provided to the 

 transport, in the proportion of one to two pack animals. 

 The size for two camel loads should be about 8 ft. by 6 ft. 

 Better far, however, if these were put over the camels. 

 The saddles of the ' kootchie ' pattern, used by some of 

 the Pathan tribes in Afghanistan, were far superior all 

 round, but in strength and lightness particularly, to the 

 wretched things we had. 



