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ON THE FOSSIL CAMEL 



With the exception of the proximity of the condyles to each other in 

 the fossil, there is no marked difference ; all the hollows and protuberances 

 on the bone of the existing animal have their corresponding ones on the 

 fossil. The femur in its length also appears to have had as great a curve 

 forward as we observe in that of the Camel of the present day. 



This brings us to a conclusion on the comparative differences between 

 the Cameliis Sivalensis and the Camelus Dromedarius now existing. Although 

 the fossil fragments from which this comparison has been derived are not 

 either so perfect or so numerous as we could have wished, they are still 

 sufficiently so for every purpose of comparison, and in some cases we have 

 been even struck with the remarkable perfection of the fossil, considering 

 its soft and in many cases imperfectly indurated quality, added to the 

 intimate combination with, as well as adhesion to, the matrix, which consists 

 of a light colored clay with a small admixture of sand. 



In recapitulation of our above remarks, therefore, we will note that 

 independent of the peculiarities described as existing in the cranium of the 

 Camelus Sivalensis, upon which peculiarities we rest its specific character, 

 there must have been others in its external form. These differences how- 

 ever could not have extended far : its aeneral character must have borne 

 a close affinity to that of the same animal of the present day, and although 

 we have proofs of its size having exceeded our existing Camel in a propor- 

 tion equalling at least one-seventh of its height, we are unfortunately igno- 

 rant of the effects that domestication may have caused in the deterioration 

 or otherwise of the Camelus Dromedarius ; especially in a country and 

 amongst a race of people who pay little attention to the improvement 

 whilst the natural increase is sufficient to supply their wants and add to 

 their comfort. The Camelus Dromedarius from which our comparison has 

 been drawn must not be confounded with the Camelus Bactrianus or Camel 

 used by the Arabs. 



For the Camel in all its perfection we must seek the shores of the 

 Caspian, to the hordes and wandering tribes who from generation to gene- 

 ration have looked upon this animal as the only means by which they 



