Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-07-07
T,e Camel and its Commercial Value.

uuo,ambered that Congress has entertained propo-
;tion to enquire into the eXpedency OF introducing
b, as beasts of burden upon the plains and deserts
,bich intervene between the Mississippi and the Pa
:fc and this report seems favorable othe scheme
We remember, however 10 have seen it stated by
Tieutenant Lynch who employed the camel in the
trons0ortation of boats and baggage that their pro-
oss was intoerably slow, we think less than tour
lilies an hour This interfered with our preconcev-
o. IDEAS of the speed of this desert ship derived
nrnepally from Robbins Narrative, and Denham
and CIapperion's Travels.
From Hunts Merchants Magazine, June 1851
INTELLIGENCE, DoCILTTY, AND TRAINING OF THE
CAMEL.
The camel grows up like child under the tent OF
his master partakes of his plenty as well as MS pen
ury, enjoys his songs, and understands MS Olodlhg
f.; docilify springs from habit and refection-nay,
we almost say from moral feeling for it rebels
when its temper is not sagac ousl y managed. When
The French went to Algiers and got possession of
rarels they thought that their obedience might be
enforced like that Of mules and asses by simple beat
mo- but they soon showed their conquerors that they
we're not 10 be treated, and that both their kick
and their bite rather formidable. The Arabs
assert that the animal is sensible of ll-heament,
that when this is carried too far the inhictor will find
it not easy 10 escape It's vengeance lager, hoWeV-
rr to express it's resentment it longer retains its
anger when once it is satisfied; and II IS even sufl-
Gent for it to believe that it has avenged its injury
When an Arab has excited the rage ola camel, he
throws down his garments in some place where Inc
animal is TO pass. 1t Immediately recognises the
rothes siezes and shakes them with his teeth, and
tramples upon them in a rage When lis anger is
rbus appraised, it leaves them, and the owner may
then appear and guide il as he wills, There is no
trouble in tering or feeding The camel AS soon as
Is load is taken off, it is turned out to Craze on what
ever find around its owner tent and never look
cd after until it is again required to continue its jour-
ney At other times II shelters the weary traveller
stretched along the sand watches DER his sumbers,
md ike the faithful dog, warns him Of the enemys
aprroach. It's instinct enables it to smell the dis
,ant water, and it recognises the spot with wonder
u precision it is the very type of patience forti
Jude and perseverance !; charged with heavy load,
constantly travelling over the sand-from which its
nostrils shaped like narrow oblque Sits, and provl-
led with q sphineter muscle like the eyellds, de-
ended with hairs at their margins-eXposed to hum
cr and thirst and the hottest rays of the it SUI
icrs the fatigue and pain with Incompatible meek
ness it lies down on the burning sand, without be-
taying the least degree of Impotence while at all
able 10 support it's load, and continue the journey, it
strains every nerve to proceed it neither flags
rcaXes until absolutely worn out, when it falls to
rise no more thus rendering its last breath on the
vcrv spot it ceases to be useful The camel is Occa
sionaIly employed in the pillow and other agricultural
pursuits, like oxen or horses and in many Tartar
countries it is used to draw the coaches of the king
and prince: but Psychologists remark that when used
N the yoke or harness the elevation Of its shout
ders is cause Of waste OF strength; besides, for
the purpose of traction it can only be used
at all upon flat ground its fle0hy feet, which two
in rum Ter, and not externally separated not permit
ing it 10 ascend hills, and draw carriage after it
It is as a beast of burden that the camel is chiefly
valuable; and its qualities in this capacity are i'm
proved to great extent, by the mode ID which it is
trained At the earliest period, the legs folded
under the BODY in which position ii is constrained to
remain. lis back is covered with carpet, weighed
down with a quantity of stones gradually augment
ed it receives scanty portion OF food 1T is rarely
supplied with water and in this manner is brought
to endure prVation. When the time of trial has
elapsed, and it is broke into subservitnce it knees
at the command of the MASTER who either mounts it
himself or loads it with heavy burden and then
trusting 10 its strength, and the pFlVatlons 1t can
suffer he ventures to traverse the tracklesS DESERT
When it lies down to receive its load, 1t rests upon
the callosites Of its breast and limbs. 1t is ridden
upon loaded or unoaded, either with without the
pack-sadde if without, the rider rides behind the
hump, using no manner of bride, guiding the beast
only by striking gently with stick on his neck
The saddle, when used is placed upon the wlthers,
in front of the hump, and the legs OF the rider when
mounted, rest upon the animals neck when raZ-
ZIas made, two men are mounted on each. In
rising from its crouching posture, the camel which
is in general deliberate in all It's actions, mounts
its hind legs very briskly, soon as the rider
leans his saddle TO spring up, and throws him first
forward and then backward and it is not until the
hat the rider can find the balance The camel sgni-
fes that it is sufficiently loaded either by hiss
or a shake of the head it will refuse to rise il laden
with even a half pound beyond its exact burden. A
drove of camels will all rise or lie down, at the word
of command, as if struck by the same blow. They
are made TO eat in a circle, all kneeIing down. head
10 head and eye to eye within this circle ofheads is
thrown the fodder each camel claims its portion, ca
ting that directly opposite to lis head.
TRAvELI-The progress of the camel is IN general
Slow especially when collected in numbers to COM
pose a caravan ; but its pace is regular and uniform
and constitutes no inaccurate measurement OF dis
ance dcsolao regions, where there is no guide
II does not appear that the load of the camel maerl
ally affects its progress the chief difference in that
case lying in the daily duration of its march. The
cametS tied one after another, held together by
strings in their nose, and are not allowed to Craze
during the march This is advantage for much
time would otherwise be lost by the camelS cropping
heritage by the way The files are twenty and thIr-
~ in number, and sometimes these files are double
In mountainous districts they are united otherwise
camel slipping down draw another after IT, and
so the whole line would be thrown into confusion.-
The operation of piercing the and passing
through it piece of wood which it to serve as
Bit is painful, and causes the animal TO utter loud
waits :" Slow and sure,n has in 10 case whatever Sc
good an application it has 10 the progress OF the
cames march. 1t is in the desert ii gives proof Of
It's peculiar adv9 nageS its long neck, perpendlcu-
arly erected removes its head from the sand waves
It's eyes which it keeps half shut, are we'll defended
by thick eyeds, largely provided with hair the
construction of its feet prevent its treadng deep into
the sand its long legs enable it TO pass over the
space with only half the number of steps ofany
other animal, and therefore with less fatigue These
advantages give il solid and easy gait on ground
where all other animals walk with Slow short, anc
uncertain steps. In fact, it is only in mounting o
descending, or upon 4 wet and marshy soil, that i
becomes unsteady or unwiedy. Sometimes wher
10 %ho Hr
yerS beat drums, and attach small bells 10 the knees
Of lie leading camels and if becomes necessary t