n
the skulls of the two animals, and it is especially noteworthy that the
last lower molar is smaller in the wild than in the tame race. In
connexion with this point it should be noticed that, unlike what occurs
in the yak, the wild animal is not larger than the tame one, although it
is incorrect to say that the former is decidedly the inferior of the
latter in point of stature. Dr Leche also institutes a comparison
between the skeletons of the wild and the tame Bactrian camel with the
remains of certain fossil Asiatic camels, namely, _Camelus knoblochi_
from Sarepta, Russia, and _C. alutensis_ from the Aluta valley, Rumania.
This comparison leads to the important conclusion that the wild Bactrian
_Camelus bactrianus ferus_ comes much nearer to the fossil species than
it does to the domesticated breed, the resemblance being specially
noticeable in the absolutely and relatively small size of the last
molar. In view of these differences from the domesticated breed, and the
resemblance of the skull or lower jaw to that of the extinct European
species, it becomes practically impossible to regard the wild camels as
the offspring of animals that have escaped from captivity.

On the latter hypothesis it has been generally assumed that the wild
camels are the descendants of droves of the domesticated breed which
escaped when certain central Asian cities were overwhelmed by
sand-storms. This theory, according to Professor Leche, is rendered
improbable by Dr Sven Hedin's observations on the habits and mode of
life of the wild camel. The habitat of the latter extends from the lower
course of the Keria river to the desert at the termination of that
river, and thence to the neighbourhood of the Achik, the ancient bed of
the Tarim river. These animals also occur in the desert district south
of the Tarim; but are most abundant in the deserts and mountains to the
southward of Kuruktagh, where there are a few brackish-water pools, and
are also common in the barren mountains between Kuruktagh and Choetagh.
Large herds have also been observed in the deserts near Altyntagh. The
capacity of camels for travelling long distances without water--owing to
special structural modifications in the stomach--is familiar to all.
That the Arabian species was one of the earliest animals to be
domesticated is evident from the record of Scripture, where six thousand
camels are said to have formed part of the wealth of the patriarch Job.
Camels also formed