576 INTRODUCTION OF CAMELS. 
INTRODUCTION OF CAMELS. 
Remarks on the Introduction of Camels as a means of Transportation on the 
Prairies and Deserts of the Interior. 
In traversing the broad plains and deserts of the interior of the 
continent, the subject of using camels as a means of transpor- 
tation oftened occurred to me; and on my return, I learned - 
that the subject of introducing them had been discussed in the 
newspapers, and that a resolution had been offered in Con-- 
gress, asking for an appropriation to test the experiment. 
A memoir on the subject, at considerable length, written 
with much ability, and embracing a vast number of curious, 
interesting, and important facts, by George R. Gliddon, Esq., 
was laid before the Committee on Military Affairs of the Sen- 
ate. This committee asked for an appropriation to enable the 
Secretary of War to import thirty camels and twenty drome- 
daries of various breeds, together with ten Arabs, familiar 
with their habits, whose services might be retained for two years. 
The plan proposed was to send an efficient agent to Egypt, 
who was to proceed to the interior of the country, as far as 
Nubia, and there procure the finest specimens of the best breeds ; 
for the camel, like the horse and the ox, presents many varie- 
ties. On the African coast these animals are found in great 
numbers ; but they are said to be inferior to those of the in- 
terior. If the experiment is to be fairly tested, and made a 
Government undertaking, of course the very best breeds, both 
from Africa and Asia, should be obtained 
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