Bactrian camel train at Novy Urgench
During her Central Asian travels in the early 20th century Ella Christie frequently encountered Bactrian camels. A full grown domesticated Bactrian is usually smaller than a dromedary, and has a very thick winter coat of brown wool, which is shed in the spring. This "ship of the desert" was used for transportation of goods over terrain where a horse would be unsuitable. Several camels would often be tied nose-to-tail to form a "caravan", as in this image. The camels carried bells to warn of their approach, although the animals themselves were very noisy, especially during loading and unloading. Ella Christie thought that the young camels had a certain charm, but that this soon gave way to the careworn appearance of their parents.
