1842.] On the Wool of the Bactrian, or two-humped Camel. 1 185 



enables him alike to undergo the rigors of a northern clime, and the 

 heats of the southern districts, to which he travels. 



It is reported of the two-humped Camel, that his hardihood is such, 

 that the winter is the season when the trade between Turkistan 

 and Russia is carried on, and that season is selected, because then the 

 rivers which intervene between the two countries are frozen up by 

 the severity of the frosts, and the camels are thus enabled to pass over 

 on the ice. 



The wool of this animal is as yet but little used, a small quantity 

 only being exported from Bokhara to Cabul, and I believe to Umritsur 

 in the Punjab. The great bulk of it is said to be sent at present 

 to Russia, and manufactured into a kind of broad cloth, called " Sala- 

 tiska," which is worn by soldiers. 



It being my intention to publish some notes on the Natural History 

 and Geology of this part of Korassan, I shall again have occasion 

 to notice this animal more at length, and I will therefore pass on 

 to what I dare say will be deemed the most interesting part of his 

 history, namely, the wool he produces. 



No. 1. — Is a sample of the wool taken from the sides and back of a 

 full grown male Bactrian Camel, in the winter clothing. It is so thick- 

 ly disposed, that the skin of the animal can with difficulty be discerned 

 beneath it, even when the wool is turned back for that purpose. 



In the spring, as the temperature grows milder, the whole of this 

 wool detaches itself from the skin, being pushed off in masses and flakes 

 by the hair which springs up beneath it, and which forms the sum- 

 mer clothing of the animal. 



It is at this season pulled or cut off, and after being cleaned, is 

 either manufactured into woollens of different texture for home con- 

 sumption, or exported in a raw state to Russia ; a small quantity also 

 finds its way to Cabul and the Punjab. 



It is produced abundantly both in Bokhara and Balk, and the 

 Steppes of Tartary. 



This wool is called " koork," or down. 



It appears to be little inferior in fineness to that procured from 

 some breeds of Shawl Goats, while it possesses a decided advantage 

 over them all, in being both of a much longer fibre, and far more easi- 

 ly freed from the hair. 



