48 ANIMAL SKETCHES. CHAP. 



large development of air-cavities in the bones, the object 

 of which is to afford at the same time strength, size, and 

 comparative lightness : strength to support the heavy 

 tusks and trunk, size to afford attachment to the great 

 muscles, arid yet lightness from the spongy structure of 

 the bones. The brain-case itself is comparatively small, 

 and may be a foot or more behind the prominent fore- 

 head. Though Jumbo's weight was some six and a half 

 tons his brain did not probably weigh more than nine 

 pounds at most. 



But I must now turn from the structure of these 

 animals to say a few words concerning their habits and 

 intelligence. Not that I have by any means exhausted 

 the points of interest and those profitable for comparison 

 in the matter of structure. But space, and perchance 

 your patience, are not limitless. 



All observers seem to agree that the giraffe is one of 

 the gentlest and most harmless of animals. No doubt he 

 will kick when hard pressed ; not to do so would betray 

 meanness of spirit impossible to a beast who holds his 

 head so high. Sir Samuel Baker, the great large-game 

 sportsman, says : " I have never pursued them except upon 

 occasions when my people were devoid of meat, as the 

 destruction of such lovely creatures without some neces- 

 sary purpose I regarded as wanton cruelty." Would that 

 all sportsmen were animated by the same spirit ! I do 

 not suppose the giraffe is conspicuous for intelligence. 

 But after all, cleverness is not everything. He has a 

 melting eye. " The eye of the giraffe," says Sir Samuel, 

 "is worth special study, as there is nothing to compare 

 with its beauty throughout the animal creation." I expect 

 he looked down tenderly with that eye on Miss Fair-hair. 

 That, no doubt, is how Long-neck came to be one of her 

 favourites. We know that Long-nose kindly gave her a 



