■^ A Vanishing Feature of the Velt 



of giraffe inhabiting separate zoological regions. In the 

 districts I traversed, I came across an entirely new species. 

 . . . Their life and habits interested me beyond measure. 

 I often think of them still — moving about like phantoms 

 among the thorny bushes, and in and out the sunlit woods, 

 or standing out silhouetted against the horizon. 



Though by nature peaceful, the giraffe is not defenceless 

 — a kick from one of its immense legs, or a blow side- 

 ways with the great thick-necked head of a bull, would 

 be quite enough to kill a mere man. But this gigantic 

 beast, whose coat so much resembles that of the blood- 

 thirsty tiger, leopard, and jaguar, never attacks, and only 

 brings its forces into play for purposes of defence. It 

 harms no man, and it has lived on the velt since time 

 immemorial. It is the more to be deplored, therefore, that 

 it should disappear now so quickly and so suddenly. 



I have already remarked several times on the way 

 giraffes and other African mammals harmonise in their 

 colouring with their environment. Professor V. Schmeil 

 has pointed out how my opinion in this respect accords 

 with that of earlier observers.^ The way in which giraffes 

 mingle with their surroundings as regards not only their 

 colour but also their form, is especially astonishing. The 

 illustration on page 550 proves this in a striking manner, 

 for it shows how the outlines of the giraffe correspond 

 exactly with those of the tree close to it. 



^ Later observers questioned this fact. When I have used the word 

 "mimicry," I have done so not in the original sense of Bates and Wallace, 

 but as denoting the conformity of the appearance of animals with their 

 environment. 



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