PURCHASING 313 



a sudden rapid march under hard conditions in fact, 

 for all emergencies while the former are better ad- 

 apted for slow heavy work, where food and water are 

 obtainable in plenty, and where the roads are good. 



It is very clear and evident, then, that in purchasing object and 

 an officer must bear in mind the object for which he work the 



requires an animal, and the class of work that it is to 

 be subjected to. This undoubtedly is the first principle 

 that should guide him previous to examining a number 

 of camels, and before making a selection. These 

 remarks apply equally to Sawaris, the points of which, 

 by the way, are identically the same, with this broad 

 distinction, remember, that, like the racehorse, he is 

 built for riding and speed, combining agility and swift- 

 ness of movement with strength and endurance, in 

 spite of his light spare frame, which is none the less 

 wiry and hardj^. While the baggager has a frame which 

 was made simply to draw or carry weight. 



A purchasing officer should also be acquainted with Quaiifica- 

 all the various breeds belonging to the district which 



has been allotted to him, as well as the different features mg offi 

 and characteristics which distinguish them, so as to 

 be able to detect one from the other. A knowledge of 

 the native language is, as a matter of fact, more or less 

 indispensable, as he can get through the work far more 

 satisfactorily and economically than through an inter- 

 preter or middleman. 



The first thing to do when you have decided on the Points 

 class of animal, and before purchasing a camel, is to 

 see to his points, which are (1) general condition, (2) 

 fulness and firmness of hump, (3) depth of chest, (4) 

 muscular development of fore-quarters, (5) breadth and 



