280 THE CAMEL 



CHAPTEE XIII 



COMPAEISON WITH OTHER ANIMALS 



THIS is a subject not to be entered on too lightly, for a 

 difference of opinion seems to exist as to the capabilities 

 of the various animals used for pack transport, some as- 

 serting the superiority of the mule, others of the camel. 

 These opinions are most likely founded on the fact that 

 the holders of them have worked exclusively, or at least 

 oftener with one animal than with the other, or that they 

 have not had an opportunity of instituting a comparison 

 between them. One fact must not be lost sight of, and 

 that is, that when you have various kinds of animals 

 doing transport work, as we had in Afghanistan, where 

 the conditions of climate and food did not suit all alike, 

 it is hardly fair to depreciate any one kind, which, 

 like the Sind and Panjab camels, from the hot dry 

 climate of sandy plains, accustomed to graze on leaves 

 and saline herbs, were suddenly brought into an 

 intensely cold mountainous country, entirely destitute 

 of covering, and deprived of their natural food, &c. 

 Or would it be just to compare them with the mules, 

 who were in their element in the long rocky defiles and 

 mountain passes ? No, here as elsewhere the camel had 

 hardly a chance given him. He I do not, of course, 

 include the hill camel, of which a number were em- 

 ployed was quite out of his element, like the pro- 



