THE CAMELOPARD. \65 



The female always brings forth upon land, and it is 

 supposed that she produces but one at a time. The 

 young ones are said to be excellent eating ; and their 

 breast is allowed to be as delicate as veal. 



CHAP. XVIII. 



THE CAMELOPARD. 



I HE camelopard is only found in the deserts of 

 Africa, and is as singular in shape as it is in size : the 

 head somewhat resembles that of a deer, with two 

 round horns near a foot in length : the neck is extremely 

 long and slender, and, from the top of the head to 

 the shoulder, it measures between seven and eight 

 feet ; and, from the ground to the top of the shoulder, 

 never less than ten or eleven : the hind legs are near 

 a foot and half shorter than the front, which gives a 

 most singular appearance to the animal's shape. The 

 form of this creature is light and slender, and bears 

 some resemblance both to the camel and the deer : 

 the hair is of a deep brown, beautifully marked with 

 spots of white ; it lives entirely upon vegetable diet ; 

 and in disposition it is gentle, timorous, and wild ; and 

 it flies to its native forest upon the least alarm. 



m 3 



