57^ UNGULATA. 



out water for a long time, and hence when the leaves are fresh, it is met 

 with in places where there is no water for miles. But in the dr\' season, 

 when the foliage is parched, it goes long distances to pools or ponds in 

 the river beds. The Giraffe stands up while it chews the cud ; it chiefly 

 ruminates by night, and does not spend much time in the process. 



The senses of the Giraffe, especially those of sight and hearing, 

 are highly developed. Its intellectual qualities are not inferior. It is 

 prudent and cautious, very amiable and good-natured. It is a jx;aceful, 

 gentle creature, that lives in harmony not only with its own kind but 

 with other animals. In case of need it defends itself with courage, 

 striking powerful blows with its long, sinewy legs. It is in this fashion 

 that the males fight with each other, and that the female defends her 

 young from the crouching Fclidic : she has been known to knock down 

 even a lion. The keepers of menageries have often to be on their guard, 

 although they generally are on good terms with the Giraffe. It is full 

 of curiosity, and seems to be gratified by the presence of visitors, whom 

 it investigates with an air of great interest. It was a little more than 

 fifty years since Giraffes were first seen alive in Europe, after a very long 

 interval. The Pasha of Eg3'pt heard that the Arabs of Senaar had 

 brought up a pair of Giraffes on camel's milk ; he ordered them to be 

 brought to Cairo, and resolved to send them as presents to the kings of 

 England and France. They arrived at their destinations in 1827, and in 

 Paris, fashions a la girafc became in vogue. Since then, numerous 

 specimens have been imported, most of them being brought from the 

 country between the Blue Nile and the Red Sea. At present, the Arabs 

 do a regular and profitable trade in catching and selling these animals. 

 Twenty-four were sent to Germany alone in 1874. The Giraffes require 

 great attention when kept in captivity. They are attacked with a dis- 

 ease in the bones, which is named " Gii'affe-sickness." It arises from 

 want of exercise and proper food. Plenty of room and a warm sur- 

 face to stand on are indispensable requisites for its health. Hay, 

 carrots, onions and different vegetables lorm its principal diet in cap- 

 tivity, but to this provender the keei)er ought to add some tannic 

 acid, a substance in which the mimosa is very rich. 



The Giraffe is an object for the native as well as the European 

 hunter. The iormer hunt it on horseback, and when they overtake it, 

 cut the tendon Achillis. They esteem its flesh very highly. Europeans 

 usually stalk it — a difficult task, as the animal's enormous length of neck 



