294 THE GEOGRAPHY OF MAMMALS 



ascertained in this country) carries hollow horns, like 

 those of the Bovidm, but sheds them regularly every year, 

 like the deciduous antlers of the Stags. 



Section IX. — Distribution of Giraffes 



The next family of Arctiodactyles, the Giraffidte, consists 

 likewise of what is called a monotypic form, embracing a 

 single species only, and limited, in the present epoch, en- 

 tirely to one Region of which it is one of the most charac- 

 teristic animals. The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is 

 distributed over the greater part of Africa, from Senegal 

 through the Southern Sahara to Upper Nubia, and thence 

 southward throughout Eastern Africa in suitable localities 

 to the Cape. So far as we know at present it is not found 

 within the great wooded regions of the Congo valley and 

 western coast, but is certainly met with on the Niger and 

 on the Upper Gambia. As has recently been well shown by 

 Mr. de Winton (P. Z. 8. 1897, p. 273) the Giraffe presents 

 us with two geographical forms, which may be designated 

 either as species or sub-species. The Northern Giraffe 

 {Giraffa camelopardalis typica} which is met with in 

 Senegal and thence across the Sahara to Upper Nubia, 

 Somaliland, and British East Africa is distinguished from 

 the Southern Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis capensis) by 

 several characters, especially by the great prominence of 

 the third frontal horn which is barely apparent in the 

 southern Giraffe. The Cape Giraffe seems to be met 

 with in suitable localities all up the east coast into British 

 East Africa, where it is stated that the two forms meet. 

 More accurate information about the two forms of Giraffe 



