708 CAMELS WITH SOUTH AFGHAN EXPEDITION, 1878-9. 
some few specialties in the form of the pancreas, but it will 
be sufficient for our purpose to notice the absence of the gall¬ 
bladder as an appendix to the former; this proves that, as in 
the horse, a continuous flow of bile is intended, and we con ¬ 
sequently infer that digestion in both animals is a con¬ 
tinuous, and not an intermittent process, as is.more or less 
the case with those that possess gall-bladders. The horse 
thrives best when fed frequently in small quantities, why 
should not the camel be similarly treated ? It is at the 
same time admitted that both will tolerate fasting for a con¬ 
siderable period, and the existence of the rumen in camels 
is not forgotten. The kidneys are glandular bodies situated 
in the abdomen under the loins ; they perform an excreting 
office, and it is to be particularly remarked that the urine of 
the camel corresponds with the dung in being rich in am¬ 
monia. The skin of the camel has been observed by my 
friend, Mr. Kettlevvell (V.S., Saharumpore Stud), when 
placed under the microscope, to be deficient in perspira¬ 
tory follicles and ducts. One more anatomical provision 
remains to be noticed as pertinent to my subject, viz. 
the nervous distribution which maintains the sympathy of 
internal organs, and renders their action dependent on each 
other; this arrangement cannot be enlarged upon here, 
but my readers will please to remember there is what is 
called the pneumo-gastric system, which, as its name in¬ 
dicates, connects intimately the respiratory and digestive 
functions. 
Evils on march. —Most of these admit of palliation, but it 
will be at first sight supposed that the nature of the road 
in a strange country is irremediable; there are many 
instances, however, in which considerable saving to animal 
power may be effected, by judiciously regulating the length 
of march according to the severity or otherwise of the 
ground traversed, and to effect this I do not think the 
importance of hills as impedimenta to camel progress can be 
over-estimated. Camels will travel over loose shingle with 
comparative impunity, but the base of every acclivity in the 
Candahar route bears, doubtless to this day, abundant tes¬ 
timony as to the trying nature of rising ground. I re¬ 
member many instances of loss of life by neglect of this pre¬ 
precaution when camping ground could have been easily 
arranged; notably in a march from Much to Danvaza in the 
Bolan Pass, where scores of beasts succumbed at the foot of 
the final hill, whereas a rest at Sir and Bolan might have 
husbanded their strength sufficiently to have enabled them 
to have surmonnted the obstacle, after which it was com- 
