188 THE CAMELEOPARD. 



pal specific distinctions appear, it may serve for com- 

 parison with those from the southern part of the con- 

 tinent. 



In both species, the immense length of neck, and 

 the disproportional height of the fore-quarter, com- 

 pared with the hinder, are the appearances which 

 first strike an observer as unwieldy, clumsy, and un- 

 fitted for an active life. The food, however, is de- 

 rived in a great measure from the foliage of trees, 

 particularly a species of Acacia (Acacia GiraffiB t 

 Burch.). It seizes the herbage or foliage with its 

 tongue, which is long and narrow, and which rolls 

 round the object with a considerable degree of plia- 

 bility, using it as a prehensile organ, and one beau- 

 tifully fitted as an accessory to the other parts of its 

 structure. The perfection of its form enables it to 

 reach the exalted branches, which are uncropped, 

 from being above the height of ordinary animals ; 

 and, on the other hand, a shorter neck would not 

 have allowed it easily to reach the earth, in districts 

 where wood was more un frequent. Its pace is 

 an amble, and, when put in motion, it is capable 

 of considerable speed, according to Major Denharn, 

 such as to keep a horse at a pretty smart gallop. 

 It occasionally falls a prey to the lion, the only 

 beast of prey which dares to attack it; but the 

 powerful strokes of both the fore and hind feet are 



sometimes an equal match in open combat. The 

 height of the Giraffe is from fifteen to twenty- one feet. 



The general colour is yellowish-white, patched ove 



