CLASS MAMMALS: ORDEH UKGULATA. 57 



by the length of the scapula and the spinous processes. As 

 its greatest enemy is the low-crouching lion, that usually 

 springs upon its prey from behind, its eye is so placed on the 

 side of the head, that it can see backward as well as forward ; 



Fig. 77. 



Skeleton of a Giraffe. 



and, as the danger is from below, while its food is above, the 

 sensitive tufts on the tips of its skin-covered horns indicate, 

 as it stalks among the trees, the presence of leaves overhead. 

 It uses its short horns for defence by a sidelong sweep of the 

 neck rather than by butting. Its chief reliance, however, is 

 on rapid and powerful kicks sufficient to break the skull of 



