132 



ON" THE FOSSIL CAMEL 



drawn ; but in taking those of a perfect vertebral column from the atlas to the 

 last caudal vertebra of the common sized Camehis Dromedarius—we obtain a 

 measurement of 9 feet 10 inches, including the head. The total length of the 

 Camelus Dromedarius is, II ieet 4 inches, and this must be considered as 

 under the full measurement, from the absence of inter-vertebral cartilao-es 

 which connect the vertebrae in the living animal. Stark's specific charac- 

 ter evidently leaves an impression of a superiority of size in the Camelus 

 J3actrianus. We leam from Elphinstone, in his history of Caubul, that 

 the height of the latter animal is considerably less ; that it is shorter and 

 stquter ; well adapted for rocky and hilly countries ; and from its shortness 

 of limb, less liable to accident, than its tall and slenderly formed congener. 



On the Camels in Afghdnistdn, the author above mentioned, remarks 

 — " The Dromedary is found in all the plain country, but most in sandy 

 *' and dry parts ; this is the tall long-legged animal common in India. 

 *' Tlie Bactrian Camel (which I understand is called Uzhree in Toorkee,) 

 " is much more rare, and I believe is brought from the Kuzzauk country 

 beyond the Jaxartes. He is lower by a third at least than the other, 

 " is very stout, and covered with shaggy black hair, and has two distinct 

 " humps, instead of the one bunch as the Dromedary. The Boghdee 

 *' Camel, in the south-west of 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 color than the common 

 " Camel, have shorter and stronger limbs, and are far better calculated for 

 " work among hills. "t 



It would appear from Elphinstone's remarks that there are three 

 species of Camel — 



1st. — That which has obtained the specific denomination of Camelus 

 Dromedarius — tall, slender, with one bunch, and common to India. 



* Elphinstone's Caubul, 2d edition, 1819, vol. 1, p. 280. 

 t DiUo ditto, ditto, vol. 2, p. 72. 



