THE ZOOLOGIST—SEPTEMBER, 1875. 4619 
a grave objection to the importation of camels seemed likely to 
present itself, from the sudden loss of so large a number at one fell 
swoop was a serious matter. The luxuriant feed seemed to en- 
courage the disease, and a remedy was looked for in vain. At 
length it was proposed to apply Stockholm tar externally, and to 
administer the same ingredient mixed up with oil internally ; and 
the experiment was attended with the happiest effects, the Afghans 
themselves pronouncing it far superior to the native medicines. It 
was found that the Australian vegetation was admirably adapted to 
the camels; in fact, they seemed to thrive better in barren than in 
rich districts. From the height and long neck of these animals, 
they are enabled to feed upon the bushes, which form their natural 
food, at a distance from the ground, far above the reach of horse 
or bullock, and therefore they can live and flourish where either 
of the latter would infallibly starve ; for though grass is frequently 
a scarce commodity in the bush, yet the most sterile tracts are 
commonly clothed with scrubby shrubs. Their digestion being 
wonderfully strong, no green food comes amiss to them. Salt bush, 
prickly acacia, sandal wood, mulga, she-oak, all are devoured with 
apparent relish, and if really hungry they will not flinch from 
mallee, wattle, gum, or, as far as is yet known, from any tree that 
grows. In fact, it seems ascertained beyond a doubt that camels 
will thrive, and perform heavy work, where any other beast of burden 
would be sure to starve. Another merit possessed by these animals 
must not be overlooked. From the peculiar construction of the 
stomach they are able to pass several days without water, and suffer 
no great inconvenience from the privation. With this characteristic 
of the camel every child is familiar, but perhaps it is not so gene- 
rally known that although they all possess this capability, yet 
training is necessary to develope it fully. A camel not accustomed 
to abstinence would neglect to husband the store contained within 
it, and would soon show symptoms of distress; while another, 
inured to privation, would make a march of several days without 
suffering. 
Mr. Elder imported camels of three different breeds; namely, 
the fast or Makrana camel, for riding purposes; the hill camel from 
Scinde, suitable for riding or baggage, being the common camel of 
Western India; and the hairy camel from Candahar, fine, strong, 
thick-set animals, eight, nine, and ten feet high, the best kind for 
heavy loads. The female breeds about four times in five years, and 
