TUE EQtaVALENTS OF THE HAND. 109 



organ of tact and prehension in the tongue, 

 which is, at the same time, endowed with 

 mobiUty, sensibihty, and taste. The tongue of 

 this animal is long, slender, poiilted, capable of 

 being protruded to a great extent, and of being- 

 coiled round any object with the utmost preci- 

 sion. The giraffe uses it as a hook, or holder, 

 to draw down the twigs of trees to its lips, and 

 it is curious to see what power and address it 

 displays. The giraffe browses on the leaves of 

 the acacia and other trees, which it draws down 

 to its mouth ; and to one who pays attention to 

 the philosophy of structure, its elevated fore- 

 quarters, its long swan-like neck, its small 

 head, large eyes, tapering muzzle, its prehensile 

 lips, and grasping, twining, slender, and length- 

 ened tongue, present a harmony of parts, well 

 worthy of consideration. What a contrast do 

 ■we see in this animal to the elephant, with its 

 short neck and massive frame ! yet in both, 

 through a modification of different organs, is 

 the same end attained; and both are enabled 

 to seize the branches of the forest, which afford 

 them sustenance, while above them, on some 

 topmost bough, sits the four-handed monkey, 

 gathering fruits or leaves with its hands. 



In grazing quadrupeds, with an almost flat 



