THE STORY OF THE GIRAFFE. 



301 



In the opinion of modern naturalists, it holds a place by itself between the 

 deer and antelopes; it forms, at all events, a gl^oup to which no other animals 

 belong. The height of the giraffe varies from thirteen to eighteen feet. Its 

 beautiful long neck enables it to browse on the leaves of the trees on which 

 it feeds. It is very dainty while feeding, and plucks the leaves one by one 

 with its long, flexible tongue. The females are of lower stature, and more 

 delicately formed than the males. 



The movements of the giraffe are very peculiar, the limbs of each side 





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GIRAFFES OF THE KALAHARI DESERT. 



appearing to act together. It is very swift, and can outrun a horse, especially 

 if it can get among broken ground and rocks, over which it leaps with a 

 succession of frog-like hops. 



The senses of both sight and hearing are highly developed; and the lofty 

 position of the head gives to the soft and liquid eyes a wide field of view. 

 The animal's only means of defense is by kicking out with its legs; and the 

 blows thus delivered are of terrific force and power. This mode of attack is 



