1841.] Beport on sithjccls connected with Afghanistan. 981 



strong legs. The outline of the head and face are very different, 

 and the upper lip is much less pendent. The under-hair or wool 

 of the dromedary affords excellent materials for warm, strong, and 

 cheap clothing, and the Afghans avail themselves largely of it. In 

 this country, these animals are always driven, not led, neither are 

 they incommoded with a nose string. Hindoostan camels are not 

 adapted to the climate of Afghanistan, or the stony surface of the 

 country; it was found, that unless as well cared for as horses, they 

 are by no means enduring animals, being exceedingly impatient of 

 cold and wet; and though not great drinkers, impatient of the want 

 of water. Although the Indian camels accompanying the Army of 

 the Indus underwent great hardship, and suffered from change of 

 diet or absolute privation, yet great part of the great loss was occa- 

 sioned by the cruelty and carelessness of the surwans or camel-drivers ; 

 than whom, even in Asia, a more worthless set does not exist. Captain 

 Fraser of the Cavalry was one, among the very few officers, who 

 did not lose a single camel between Ferozepore and Cabul. From his 

 experience it would appear, that with good grooming, clothing, and 

 feeding, the Indian camel may be depended upon. Perhaps this 

 may be deemed worthy of some attention. At present the well-being of 

 the carriage of an Army is almost entirely left to the natives, who in 

 addition to their other bad qualities, are merciless and most improvident 

 masters. At Urghundee, I counted about 20 camels, which had re- 

 covered after having been deserted and deprived of a large portion 

 of skin containing the mark, which it was necessary to shew to secure 

 compensation. On grooming and clothing I am the more inclined 

 to lay stress, as I am aware that the Government camels always had, 

 whenever it was procurable, a liberal supply of grain. 



Camel. — The Bactrian camel is not common in Afghanistan, the 

 cross between it and the dromedary is a remarkably handsome and 

 valuable animal. Of the remaining domestic animals, only the sheep, 

 goats, and one or two breeds of dogs, are worthy of any detailed notice. 



Sheep — The sheep, are all dombas, like the Cape sheep, remarkable 

 for the great development of fat in their tails. To the Afghans they 

 are of inestimable value, supplying them with cheap clothing admira- 

 bly adapted to the climate, with milk, and the favourite preparation 

 from it, kroot, a sort of dry curdle, which did not appear to me at all 



