THE GIIIAFFE. 



much afraid of mankind, is not seen except in those })arts of the country which 

 are the most remote from hmnan beings. 



Tlie height of a full-grown male Giraffe is from eighteen to twenty feet, the 

 female being somewhat less in her dimensions. The greater part of this enormous 

 stature is obtained by the extraordinarily long neck, which isneveilheless possessed 

 of only seven vertebrie, as in ordinary animals. Large as is the animal, it can 

 contract the tip of its tongue into so small a compass that it can })ass into the 

 pipe of an ordinary pocket-key, wiiile its prehensile powers enable its owner to 

 pluck any selected leaf with perfect ease. In captivity the Giratle is rather apt 

 to make too free a use of its tongue, such as twitching the artiticial Howers and 

 foliage from ladies' bonnets, or any similar freak. 



lor grazing upon level ground the Girafte is i)eculiarly untitted, and never 

 attempts that feat excepting when urged by hunger or some very pressing cause. 

 It is, however, perfectly capable of bringing its mouth to the ground, although 

 with considerable efibrt and nnicli straddling of the fore-legs. By placing a 

 lump of sugar on the ground, the (iiratfe may be induced to lower its head to 

 the earth, and to exhibit some of that curious mixture of grace and awkwardness 

 which characterises this singular animal. 



In its native country its usual food consists of the leaves of a kind of acacia, 

 named the Kamcel-dorn, or Camel-thorn {Acacia (/IwfTu). The animal is exceed- 

 ingly fastidious in its appetite, and carefully rejects every thorn, scrupulously 

 plucking only the freshest and greenest leaves. \\\\q\\ sup])lied with cut grass, 

 the Giratle takes each blade daintily between its lips, and nibbles gradually from 

 the top to the stem, after the manner in which we cat asparagus. As soon as it 

 has eaten the tender iuid gret-u ])ortion of the grass, it rejects the remainder as 

 unfit for cameloj)ai(liue consumption. Hay, carrots, onions, and different vege- 

 tables form its i)rincipal diet while it is kept in a state of captivity. 



Although an inoffensive and most gentle civature, it is not destitute of aggres- 

 sive capabilities, and can defend itself against ordinary foes, such as the preda- 

 ceous carnivora which inhabit the same land. In defending itself it does not 

 bring its head within reach of its enemy, but delivers a shower of kicks with 

 such lightness and celerity, that it has been known even to daunt the lion from 

 the attack. AVhen, however, the lion can steal imobserved upon the Giraffe, and 

 especially when it unites with others of its own race in the pursuit of the huge 

 prey, it brings down the Giraffe l)y dint of sheer bodily strength and sharpness 

 of tooth and claw. 



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