CAMEL. 241 



Khorasan, is shaped like the last mentioned, but is as tall as 

 the Dromedary. Even this last varies, the Dromedaries of 

 Khorasan being lower and stouter than those of India.'' 

 Again : ' Many Dromedaries are bred here, or at least by the 

 tribes whose residence is partly in Damaun. They are much 

 darker in colour than the common Camel, have shorter and 

 stronger limbs, and are far better calculated for work among 

 hills.' 2 



It would appear from Eljphinstone's remarks that there are 

 three species of Camel : 



1st. That which has obtained the specific denomination of 

 Camelus dromedarius ; tall, slender, with one humj), and 

 common to India. 



2nd. Camelus Baetrianus, or the Bactrian Camel, which is 

 one-third less in height than the former one, stout, covered 

 with black hair, and with two distinct humps. 



8rd. The Boghdi Camel, resembling in shape the Bactrian, 

 but with the height of the Dromedary or Camelus dromedarius. 



The Khorasan Dromedary may be considered as a variety 

 of the first species, or Camelus dromedarius, with less height 

 but stouter proportions. 



In Grilfith's ' Translation of the Regne Animal,' notice is 

 drawn to a third species, distinct from the Bactrian and 

 Arabian Camels, in the possession of Ruguere ; of this third 

 species, however, the characters are not given. Hamilton 

 Smith, in Grifiith's ' Cuvier,'^ divides the genus into the two 

 sjDecies, Baetrianus and Dromedarius, considering these as 

 the parent stocks from which a number of breeds and 

 varieties have sprung, ' all nevertheless depending on the 

 very trivial distinctions of colour, size, and form ; ' but the 

 specific characters of these parent stocks differ very materially 

 from those derived from Elphinstone's work before alluded 

 to, most especially with reference to the Cam,elus Baetrianus, 

 described by that author as one-third lower in height than 

 the Arabian Camel. Hamilton Smith ^ says, in describing the 

 Camelus Baetrianus : ' His height may be considered superior 

 to the Arabian, and the bulk of his body more considerable. 

 The large breed of this species attains seven feet and a half 

 from the top of the hunches to the ground, the legs are pro- 

 portionately short, and the body long.' The height of the 

 Arabian Camel, according to the same authority, does not 

 exceed seven feet. ' Those of Turkey are the strongest and 

 the best suited for burthen ; those of Arabia and Barbary 

 the lightest ; and those of India, where there are breeds for 



' Elphinstone's ' Caubul,' second edit. 

 1819, vol. i. p. 280. 

 2 3id. vol. ii.p.72. 

 VOL. I. R 



^ Synopsis Mammalia, vol. v. p. 298. 

 •• Vol. iv. p. 48. 



