MAMMALIA. 53 



pression ; he hears distinct and low sounds, and is not inca- 

 pable of relishing the melody of music. One mode of hunting 

 this animal, practised in ancient Greece, was for two persons 

 to go out together, and one to charm the unsuspecting Stag 

 with the melody of his voice or his pipe, till the other ap- 

 proached near enough to pierce him with a dart or arrow. 

 These animals run with great swiftness, living generally in 

 forests upon grass, leaves and buds. The various species 

 are scattered throughout North and South America, Europe 

 and Asia. 



GENUS CAMELOPARDALIS, Lin. Giraffe. 



These beautiful animals are of a reddish colour, with darker 

 spots. The hair of the tail is most frequently black. The 

 extreme length of his neck and shoulders renders it difficult 

 for him to crop grass from the ground. He feeds chiefly 

 therefore on the leaves and tender shoots of trees. Horns in 

 both sexes always covered by a soft skin and never falling ; 

 no larmier or muzzle ; ears long and pointed. The one sole 

 species of this genus embraces the tallest of animals. Timid 

 and gentle these Ruminantia defend themselves with great 

 courage against the attack of large Carnivora. 



Section III. Ruminantia with Hollow Horns 

 Are the most numerous section of this order. 



GENUS ANTILOPE. 



In size and shape these animals bear great resemblance to 

 the Elk. The forehead of the Antelope is flat and broad above 

 the eyes, but from the eyes to the tip of the nose becomes 

 gradually narrower till it terminates in a sharp point ; the 

 breast is furnished with a dewlap covered with long hair ; 

 on the upper part of the forehead stands a tuft of hair erect ; 

 the ears are long and pointed ; though the body is of a thick 

 robust form the legs are slender and elegant ; the horns are 

 generally about two feet long, of a dark brown colour, gene- 

 rally twisted in various ways, according to the species ; the 

 hoofs are short and surrounded at their junction with the leg 

 with a circle of black hairs. These Ruminantia are nearly 

 altogether natives of the Old Continent; some have been 

 found in the prairies of North America. Their disposition 



