“The feet should be small, the nails and the hair round them black rather than white.
“Fawn-coloured dromedaries are more highly prized than those entirely white.
“When mounted, the dromedary should instantly and quickly rise and start off.
“When the dromedary moves, it should be with such spirit that the rider is obliged to hold him in; this supports both. To urge him on kick him on the shoulder with the foot. It is very difficult to find a dromedary uniting in itself all these requisite qualities, and very rarely can such an one, especially if it is a female, be purchased; for the Arabs love their fine-blooded dromedaries as much as they do their horses, and it is only as presents, or else at enormous prices, that the choicest animals can be obtained.
“A first-rate Nomanieh is worth in Cairo from five hundred to six hundred dollars; but those ordinarily met with there sell from one hundred to two hundred dollars.
“The Bichariehs sell for less; good ones—that is to say, such as are for sale—may be had for from sixty to one hundred dollars.
“At nearly for the same prices as for the Bicharieh can be purchased also the other breeds of the Mahazi, Cawarah, and Ababdi. I will remark here that the Bicharieh dromedaries do not carry as heavy burdens as the Nomanieh. These last carry a saddle called ‘gabit,’ fitted with pads, and with saddle-bags termed ‘krourque,’ that hang down on both sides of the saddle and carry the baggage, provisions, &c., of the rider and of the dromedary.
“The Bicharieh carries a wooden saddle, laid over two small pads, which are not fastened to it. This saddle is called ‘kyarpah,’ ‘maraloup,’ &c., &c., according to its shape. Saddle-bags cannot be carried over it, on account of its form; but behind it a small sack of hide called ‘bila,’ in which a little luggage can be packed, may be attached after the manner of a valise or portmanteau.
“Often, in expeditions, a servant or follower rides behind upon the dromedaries of the two breeds. Both riders carry their arms.
“In a word, the Nomanieh generally carries from 200lb. to 230lb.; the Bicharieh, 180lb. At the utmost their burdens are 300lb. and 350lb. A dromedary, well equipped, well ridden, and in good condition, can easily make in a day over suitable ground, level and a little sandy, about ninety miles, that is, between morning and evening; but it cannot keep on at that rate. It can make fifty miles a day for fifteen or twenty days, and for a long journey can be counted upon for that. I have myself travelled upon one ninety miles in eleven hours, and gone twelve miles in forty minutes.”