258 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
The camels of Fur are of a mixed breed, and they are found 
of all colours and fizes. Thofe which come dire6tly from the 
Weft or South are large, fmooth-haired, and moft frequently 
of a colour approaching to white, or light brown. Thofe 
which are brought from Kordofan are many of them black, 
and are remarked to be lefs docile than the others. There are 
few countries where the animal abounds more than in Dar-Fur. 
They are remarkable for enduring thirft, but not for bearing 
great burthens. The camels in this country are particularly 
fubjeft to the mange, [Gcrab^ which attacks them chiefly in 
winter, and in fome paftures much more than in others. This 
malady is very contagious. It is cured by the application of a 
kind of tar, procured by diftillation per deliquium, from the 
feeds of the water-melon. When the male camel is found un- 
ruly, they fometimes deprive him of one or both tefticles. It 
is a cruel operation, as immediately after having incided with 
an ordinary knife, they fear the wound with an hot iron till the 
hemorrhage be flopped. It may be doubted whether this prac- 
tice be permitted by the law of the Prophet ; but, however bi-r 
goted their minds, where advantage is hoped for, their faith is 
dudile. The flefh of the camel, particularly of the female, 
[naka^ which is fattened for the purpofe, is here much ufed for 
food. It is infipid, but eafily digefted, and no way unpleafant. 
The .milk alfo is much in efteem. The camels bred in Fezzan, 
and other countries to the Weft, as well as thofe of Arabia, are 
for labour reckoned fuperior to thofe of Fur, and fetch an higher 
price. The former are larger and able to carry an heavier bur- 
then, but not fo capable of enduring thirft. In Soudan they 
feldom carry above five hundred weight, and oftener three or 
three 
