Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-26

where, even such an adept should be armed
with all the means of protection obtainable
from the Russian and Persian courts.
Happears probable, then, that Smyrna would
be the proper port for the shipment of the ne
cessary supply of these animals. But, in my
case, whoever may be employed to carry out
the design, he viii find his eyertions of little
avail unless he is thoroughly acquainted, not
only with the habits and qualities of the seve-
raj varieties, but also with the language and
social condition of the people and their modes
of dealing, in those demi-savage regions where
his mission must be performed; for no depen-
dence whatever could be placed in local agents.
X
The very difficult incursion to Bulkh, three
hundred and sixty miles distant over the snow
clad SUBMITS Of the Indian Caucasus, and the
return thence to eCabul, in the winter season,
was accomplished by General Harlan with the
loss Of but one camel, and even that one was
killed by an accident unconnected with disease
or fatigue, though the campaign lasted seven
months. His animals were all of the northern
varieties, chiefly Booghdees. On the other
hand, the British army of the Indus, on its
march to Cabul, under Lord Keene, in 1888
and 1899, employed exclusively the dromeda-
ries of the plains of Indostan. On the return
of General Harlan to India, over the route of
one division this army, he found the line of
march literally strewn with the bleaching bones
of this unfortunate train and he learned from
the verbal report of the British fiscal agent at
Calmul, that in the other division, accompanied
by thirty-fve thousand rcamels, " the result was
still more disastrous" -
From what has been already stated, it will be
perceived that the capacity for labor Of the
Booghdee or Bactrian dromedary approxlmates
| n 49, Al L H. II. Ill
upon the back. For draught he is of little use,
though sometimes employed in Asia for the
light blowing, or rather, scratching of the earth
in vogue there, as well as for some other SINH
lar duties. In soft sands or on river mud, he is
much less liable to sink or become mired, in
consequence Of the great size and compressi-
blity of the spongy ball beneath the foot. In
this respect he has the advantage of even the
dromedary of the plains, because his greater
bulk and weight are compensated by at least a
proportional enlargement Of all parts Of his ex-
tremities.
The Booghdee wades in safety streams deep
enough reach the belly; but when the bot
tom is treacherous, or the water deeper, boat
is necessary for his transportation, as he is no
swimmer. The greatest drawback to his use
fitness, is his liability to become jammed in de-
scending long and rapid decivities The
species of lameness results from the continued
pressure Of the weight Of the animal and the
load upon the shoulders; but it is curious
fact in his economy that the consequent weak
ness may be invariably removed in few hours,
by administering by the mouth about two
pounds of goor, kind Of inspissated molasses;
this quantity being about equivalent to half a
gallon of the ordinary article, of which the ami
NAL is very fond.
The Booghdee is ready for full service when
four years old, and is considered old at twelve
years of age. In comparing him with the
horse, as to relative value, it is proper to OBJ
serve that he is more subject to disease, though
in this respect he has vastly the advantage Of
the dromedary Of the plains, which frequently
die in great numbers, without apparent cause,
especially during the rainy season. One form
of fatal affection in all the camel tribe is spe-
cies Of epilepsy or other convulsion, which fire.
quently occurs during the rains. Through con-
fnement, inattention, and want of cleanliness
in their treatment, these animals become liable
to peculiar mango when preparing to shed
their coat and this complaint, if neglected, Of
ten produces death. "
The original price Of beasts Of burden is a
matter Of secondary consideration in calcula-
tons Of economy, when compared with the cost
Of their maintenance; nor is it Of much more
moment in comparison with the expense of in
PRODUCING animals from distant countries; but,
as the prices of camels and dromedaries in the
east may excite some interest in those who con-
template their introduction, it may not be amiss
to mention that a good Bactrian camel is worth,
in Central Asia, about fifty dollars; drome-
Diary Of the plains adapted to breeding, for the
purpose of increasing the stock Of Booghdees
may be had in India at an average price of
thirty dollars, but would probably be found
much dearer in Syria and the value of supe-
rior courier dromedaries, in Beloochistan, the
centre of their excellence, varies from one hun
dollars, according to the perfection of their
points A Booghdee of superior quality is
worth at least fifty dollars on the borders of
Persia. speak here Of the males only; for
the females, Of all the varieties are worth less
than half these prices though capable Of bear
ing about half load when not engaged in the
care of their young
In food these animals are almost as omni
vorous as the goat. The interior of their lips
and mouth is studded with very numerous, long,
and hard spicula, pointing backward toward
the throat. and retaining the masses of tough
and coarse heritage which they mascitate with
avidity, and, indeed with voracity almost in
satiable. These spines, with the lining mem
brane which covers them, are so callous that
they bid defiance even to stout woody thorns.
The camel or dromedary viii seize strong
branch Of the acacia tree in its large mouth,
pressing 1t back nearly to the commissure Of
the lips, and then dragging it between the teeth,
to the very tip Of the last twig, he win appro-
pirate all the leaves, in spite of the acute
prickles, for which this tree is remarkable. He
is fond of the saline or alkaline vegetables Of
deserts, and especially SO of the wild sage
There is probably no plant in the Great Basin,
or about its margin, that would not be received
by him as luxury. He is such german
dizer in browsing that he often surcharges him
self; and disturbed digestion then renders his
breath exceedingly offensive. The >ordinary
food of these animals, therefore, costs almost |
nothing, and may be obtained most cheaply, or
even, gratuitously, precisely in places where
that OF the horse is most expensive. On long |
and rapid Journeys the Europeans in Asia give |
their camels grain, but the natives are not in |
that habit except when nothing but dry fodder |
is accessible, as in the winter season at the |
north and it is the opinion of General Harlan
that they thrive better without IL when orraap |