The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-09-01

and lungs for violent exertion, its long and
regular strides, however, with its capacity
for continuous labor. enable it to make ex-
tensive journeys in comparatively good
time. 1t is said, and believe it, that the
camel will, on emergency, travel at its re-
gular gait for sixty successive hours without
stopping. Formed rather for a level than
broken country, the camel meets, though
without inconvenience. a fair amount of
mountain and valley. and is not distressed
in ascending or descending moderate slopes,
though they be long.
THE foot Of the camel, clothed with a
thick tough skin, said by some to be true
horn, enables it to travel with facility over
sand, gravel, or stones. 1t will also stand
tolerable degree of volcanic debris or
rocky soil; and, aided by art, provided
with shoe of hide. iron shod at the bottom,
and which is attached around the fetlock
joint,) it traverses these impediments with
out difficulty, and also ice and snow. In
wet. clayey, and muddy soils the camel
moves with embarrassment, apt to slip and
slide in it without the ability to gather it.
self quickly.
THE flesh of the camel is good for food,
resembling beef, though said to be more
delicate and tender. Its resemblance to
beef is such that it can be readily imposed
for it upon the unsuspecting without detec-
ton. It's milk is good to drink, and is not
distingushable from that of COWS. l have
used it in my tea every morning for some
weeks, knowing it to be camels milk, with
out perceiving any difference in color or
TASTE The pile of the camel, also, though
coarse, is applied to the manufacture of
many useful articles, as carpets, coarse
cloths, and ropes, but not to any fine tex
ture.
Another recommendatory characteristic
of the camel is its pasturing upon almost
every shrub and plant that grows, even the
thistle, prickly pear, and other thorny We
getables, and thereby reducing materially
the obligation of providing it with food. A
little, besides-thanks to it's hump-goes a
great way; SO that, in comparison with
other animals of burden or draught, it re-
quires a less provision of forage--an econ
omy at any time, but materially an advan-
tageous arrangement for a journey. The
four, even seven days without water or food;
and it is serviceable from four to twenty
five years of age.
as on animal Of burden the power of the
camel depends upon its stock, and measur-
ably upon climate. those of Central Asia
being ordinarily stronger and more vigor-
Gus than those of Africa or India. From
the most reliable information, confirmed by
observation, very strong camel will carry
for short distances, say from one part of
town to another. about from 1000 to 200
pounds.
"On journeys the loads for the strongest
camels range from 450 to 600 pounds, and
of the common kinds from 800 to 450 pounds !;
and these they will carry from eighteen to
thirty miles day. according to the char
acter of the country, whether broken or
level, over which they travel, aud moving
from the usual daily travelling time from
eight to ten hours. With lighter loads they
will travel somewhat faster.''
The camels obtained by Major Wayne
were landed at Indanola, Texas, on the 18th
May, 1856, and be remained in charge of
them until January of this year. In let
ter to the Secretary of War, on the 18th
of February, he says that the process of
acclimation has been partially, and SO far
successfully accomplished SO that he has
no doubt OF its complete success.
After the thirty three camels procured by
Major Wayne were landed, the U. States
ship Supply was Immediately despatched
for another lot, which were duly obtained
and landed at Indianola on the 10th of Feb
ruary last. They were forty-one in num-
Der, and much finer animals than the first
lot, although their cost was no greater
The prices of camels range almost as wide
ly as the sums paid for horses in this coun-
try. They are sold at from SIS to 81 200
each, according to their breed and peculiar
characteristics. They have been used in
Tuscany for over two hundred years. The
present Grand Duke owns two hundred and
fifty, and although badly cared for, they
will do the work of one thousand horses.