The morning call., 1892-08-14
THE WILD CAMEL.
A Very Interesting Animal That WAN
ders Over Central Asia.
YORK

ders Over Central Asia.
New York sun
As far back as the fifteenth century, writ
ers on Asia told of vague rumors that wild
camels existed in the great Cobb wastes of the
central part of the continent The existence
OF the wild camel, however, was never proven
to the western world until within the past
90 years. Ten or u years ago General Pre-
Jevalsky brought back to the museums OF
Russia number Of skins OF this animal.
1t is found to abound in very considerable
numbers In the western part. of Chinese
Turkestan, and the fact that the world has
known so little of it is due to the
scarcity of white explorers in that raglan
until quite recently and to the wiiduess of
the animal, which renders it very difficult
OF approach. During the expedition of Mr.
Bonvalot and Prince Henry of Orleans, the
adventureSome son of the Duke of Chartras
in 18S9-90. Prince Henry collected in the re.
gfon OF Lob Nor quite a number of facts
with regard TO this interesting animal The
question whether the wild camel Is the
parent stock of the dOmesticated animal or
whether, on the contrary, he is descend
ant of the tame camel. is not yet settled and
per haps it never will be. Instances have
occurred in Spain and quite recently in
Guyana Of camelS escaping from their mas
tiers and in the course of years becoming
very wild.
The natives at Lob Nor told Prince
Henry that wild camels are found about six
days to the north of Lob Lake. In the sum-
mer they go up Into the mountains, but
they always return to the same nIaces
there being certain districts to which thew
are accustomed. They wander about the
desert feeding on scanty heritage In troops
OF 10 or l6. all Of them females except one
male, which becomes the undisputed lord
OF his harem after terrific combats with
other males. The females have two young
every three years, and the male protects
them until they are old enough to be
weaned and to depend upon what the desert
affords for their food.
1t is very fatiguing and difficult to get
lear them. The only way In which they
are hunted is to hide near pond on whose
brink traces of wild camels have been dis
covered. Then when the animals come to
drink, the hunter, concealed in the reeds
picks out good specimen and blazes awaV
with his slngle-barreled gun. Unless he ia
good shot he will lose his prize, for he has
no time to get second shot, and il the
camel is only wounded it will make off with
Its companions, and the hunter will never
get near 1t again. While Prince Henry was
at Lob Nor three young men who had gone
out to hunt wild camelS returned from the
chase Ihey had seen great many camels,
but had only killed two. They had cut the
skins up into rectangular pieces ready to be
worked up into their manufactures
The best season Tor the sport is in winter,
Tor nearly everywhere the water is then
AiOLcu OfcI 81 llldt LH6 places Wner6 the
camels come to drink are very few, and the
hunter Is pretty sure to find them. The
natives believe these camels are not de-
scended from domesticated animals "Our
fathers and tradition" they said to Prince
Henry, represent them as always wild
Moreover. domestcated camel cannot do
without man, but follows him. Every
domestic animal Is descended from wild
ones"
When the chase for wild camels is success
! full, it Is very profitable. The camePs skin
| is in great demand for boots, and the hair
makes very good cloth. Only rich natives.
| however, can organize these hunting expedi-
| tions. as it is necessary to send several men
| out to forward provisions to them, to fur
nsh animals to transport them, which some
| times die, and altogether considerable risk
Is incurred.