THE GIRAFFE. 9 



distinct groups the animals most resembling it in general 

 structure. 



But there remains another peculiarity more remarkable 

 and unexpected than any that have previously been alluded 

 to in this anomalous animal ; — it is a third horn, situated on 

 the median line of the head, between the other horns and 

 the nostrils. It has precisely the same structure as the other 

 horns, and differs only in form and relative size, being more 

 widely extended at the base, with considerably less elevation, 

 so that externally it is only recognised as a protuberance on 

 the part of the head above mentioned. 



The head of the giraffe thus ornamented, is supported on 

 an extremely long neck, which is compressed and thin near 

 its junction with the head. This very long neck contains, 

 however, according to Sir Everard Home, (to whom we are 

 indebted for all the anatomical knowledge we possess respect- 

 ing the giraffe,) but seven vertebrae, the same number as is 

 found in man. From their form and mode of articulation, 

 they however permit every necessary degree of flexibility, 

 and the motions of this part are almost as free and graceful 

 as those exhibited by the swan. 



The skin upon the neck, the trunk, the thighs, and part of 

 the fore-legs, is marked with large spots of a reddish or clear 

 yellow hue, upon a dull white ground. These spots, being 

 very close together, present an angular form, more or less 

 approaching to a rhomboid : they are arranged with some 

 degree of regularity, something like the squares of a chess- 

 board. This animal has a mane like the ass or mule, which 

 extends from the back of the head to the withers, composed 

 of short and very stiff hairs. This mane and the ears are of 

 a yellow colour. The under part of the body, with the insides 

 of the thighs and extremities of the legs, are a faded white. 

 The hoofs are black, well divided, and well placed ; they are 

 reduced to a very little thickness behind. The giraffe has 

 generally been described as having, like the camel, a callosity 

 between the fore- legs, supposed to result from a similar man- 

 ner of resting on the chest when lying down : but Mr. Davis 

 observes, "There are between the fore-legs what, to the 

 casual observer, may appear such ; but these are folds of loose 

 skin, which enable it to separate its fore-legs when reaching 

 downwards. Its mode of resting is, like most quadrupeds, 

 on its side ; but the operation of lying down is curious and 

 peculiar : I will endeavour to describe it. — We will suppose 

 it to be preparing to lie on the off-side : the first action is to 

 drop on the fetlock of the off fore-leg, then on the knee of 

 the near one, to bring down the other knee : it then collects 



