Washington sentinel., 1856-05-27

Epidemic Cholera, to be continued three years,
and with power to add any other members.
DR.. Il. A. johnson, Of Chicago, on the Ex-
cretions as an Index to the Organic Changes
going on in the System. !.
DR.. D. ID. Thomson, of Louisville, on the
Remedial Effects of Chloroform.
THE GOVERNMENT CAMELs.
The United States steamer Fashion, Captain
Baker, arrived at New Orleans on the 10th in
stant The captain reports that the camels
were landed at Indianola, Texas, in safety and
well conditioned. The following account Of
the trip Of the Fashion is furnished by cores
| pondent of the Picayune:
With clear sky, fresh breeze, and fine
weather, we left New Orleans on Friday morn
ing, May IS, and directed our course down the
mississippi river, our object this trip being to
convey load of camels to Matagorda. The
camels were aboard a soreship lying at the
mouth. The rich plantations that skirt the
banks OF this famous river on both sides soon
came In view, at this season displaying their
most fertile appearance, impressing US with
the scientific care bestowed on them by the
planters Of Louisiana. The flowers and vege-
tables, with variegated hnes, and trees of the
richest foliage, all conspired to show natures
beauties In the merry month of May. 1t ought
surely to soften the heart Of any Abolitionst
to see the substantial cottages Of the negroes,
each with its own little spot Of ground growing
vegetables for the slaves enjoyment; for we
cannot but regard this attention paid to thier
comforts as pretty good evidence of kind treat
ment. Towards evening the dreary mud banks
of the mouth came in view, the land all the
time sinking lower and lower.
The camels were on board the United States
storeship Supply, by the side Of which we were
| soon fastened and ready to receive the animals.
II being late, we did not transfer any Of them
| that day. We went aboard the ship Supply,
however, impelled by curiosity, to see the won
derui beasts. They we're lodged below, well
sheltered from the bad weather, and had three
Arabs and two Turks to attend to their wants.
The ship had brought them a long voyage,
from Smyrna; Consequently the poor animals
had been confined in very narrow place for
over three months. They numbered thirty five,
including several young ones. The Supply is
fine specimen of our naval management, be-
ing an extremely neat vessel, fast sailer, and
the officers and crew of the best. She is COM
manded BY Captain Porter, and could not be
in better hands, for he regards the United
States interest as his own.
1 IAc ucAt udy the camelS were installed on
their new home but not without some diff
Guilty, for their natural timidity rendered them
difficult to manage.
The animals being all safely on board and
everything in perfect order, we bade adieu to
the ship Supply; both fired salute, and our
pondrous wheels striking the water soon bore
us out into the open sea, in full speed for
Matagorda Bay.
| The weather, with very little exception, con-
tinued pleasant, and the sea smooth, a very
fortunate thing for the camels. They are a
very patient animal, scarcely ever uttering a
sound, but are extremely belligerent among
themselves, it requiring all the watching and
care that can be bestowed on them TO prevent
them from biting each other.
| There were two or three that boasted two
humps, but the majority had only one. 1t
is supposed they will prove Of infinite service
on the great prairies of Texas, and each camel
will certainly be more valuable there than FIVE
horses; the country in some respects resemb-
| ling the desert plains of the East, If we sub
stitute grass in the place Of sand. They can
carry enormous weights, and can bear heavy
fatigues and long. continued journeys, thus be-
ing of great service to our armies on the from
tiers. The only difficulty to be apprehended
is from the climate in winter for the cold will
4
ever, they may become gradually accustomed,
and the animal being fully acclimated there
will be no further trouble about that They
will carry without stopping except at long in
tervals, immense weights of baggage and stores
under bot, broiling sun, the fatigue Of which
would soon kill horse. BY importing great
many the United States will soon have a con-
siderable breed of camels on the Western con-
tinent. 1t may be said to Columbia's honor
| that she has taken the lead in introducing
| these powerful aids to civilization among us,
for the conquests Of peace surpass those OF
war.
We arrived at the Bay Of Matagorda on
Monday evening, May 18th. The next morn
ing the animals we're taken ashore, and at last
regained their liberty. The inhabitants crowded
around them with pardonable curiosity to be-
hold the huge, uncouth animals, and many
were the sensible comparisons given vent to on
the occasion. The Arabs and Turks, who had
dressed themselves in rich Oriental costumes,
we're kept busy explaining to the inquisitive
crowd Now and then camel, in the excess
of its Joy, would run with terrible leaping
and kicking among the people, who would con
sequently give it full room to gamble in. That
evening they all started for their destination
in regular Eastern order, as for distant cara
van. Captain Baker then gave orders to steer
homeward, and the old Fashion soon reached
the city again after pleasant voyage.
/
NEw FLowEENG SHRUB--The January num-
Der Of the Horticulturalist gives plate and
notice Of shrub found in Madison county,
North Carolina, said to be a nameless and un-
described variety of rbodadendron, the flower
Of which is only second in magni6cence to the
magnolia grandaora. II grows to the height
of four or FIVE feet, and is easily transpanted
and cultivated II is stated that no American
I,Aower exceeds this in beauty. Its color is a
bright crimson, approaching scarlet, and the
ponicles are composed Of twenty or thirty
lowers, forming a conical mass, nearly as large
as a mans head The leaves are evergreen
Of deep color. The spot where it was found
is on the top Of an almost inaccessible noun
tain.