66 VERTEBRATES : MAMMALS. , 



Family is represented by the single Genus Camelopar- 

 dalis, and a single species, the Giraffe, C. girafa, F. Cuv. 



Fig- 54- 



Giraffe, C. girafa, Cuv. 



The Giraffe is one of the most remarkable of all mam- 

 mals, on account of the great length of the neck, which 

 is so long that its head is sixteen or eighteen feet from 

 the ground ! Although the neck is so long, the number 

 of vertebrae is only seven, the same as in other mammals. 

 The head is rather small, the eyes large and lustrous, and 

 the expression pleasing. Both sexes have short conical 

 horns which are covered with a hairy skin, and which are 

 never shed. 



