ITS FOOD. 



223 



For grazing upon level ground the Giraffe is peculiarly unfitted, and 

 never attempts that feat excepting when urged by hunger or some very 

 pressing cause. It is, however, perfectly capable of bringing its mouth 

 to the ground, although with considerable effort and much straddling 

 of the fore-legs. 

 By placing a lump 

 of sugar on the 

 ground, the Giraffe 

 may be induced to 

 lower its head to 

 the earth, and to 

 exhibit some of 

 that curious mix- 

 ture of grace and 

 awkwardness which 

 characterizes this 

 singular animal. 



In its native coun- 

 try its usual food 

 consists of the 

 leaves of a kind of 

 acacia, named the 

 Kameel-dorn, or 

 Camel-thorn {Aca- 

 cia giraffe). The 

 animal is exceed- 

 ingly fastidious in 

 its appetite, and 

 carefully rejects 

 every thorn, scru- 

 pulously plucking 

 only the freshest 

 and greenest leaves. 

 When supplied 

 with cut grass, the 

 Giraffe takes each 

 blade daintily be- 

 tween its lips, and 

 nibbles gradually 



The Giraffe {Gimffa Camelopdrdalis). 



from the top to the stem, after the manner in which we eat asparagus. 

 As soon as it has eaten the tender and green portion of the grass, it 

 rejects the remainder as unfit for consumption. Hay, carrots, onions, 

 and different vegetables form its principal diet while it is kept in a 

 state of captivity. 



