THE FIRST GIRAFFE HUNT. 571 



on a pivot, instead of being flexible like that of the swan or 

 peacock, to which, from its length, it has been likened. 



The giraffe utters no cry whatever. Both sexes have 

 horns, covered with hair, and are similarly marked with 

 an angular and somewhat symmetrical pattern. The male 

 increases in depth of color according to the age, and in some 

 specimens is nearly black ; but the female is smaller in 

 stature, and of a lighter color, approaching to yellow. 

 Although very extensive, the range of its habitat is exclu- 

 sively confined to those regions in which the species of 

 mimosa termed mokaala, or kameel-doorn, is abundant, the 

 leaves, shoots, and blossoms of that tree being its ordinary 

 food. 



On the 22d, being encamped on the banks of a small 

 stream, a cameleopard was killed by a lion, whilst in the 

 act of drinking, at no great distance from the wagons. It 

 was a noisy affair, but an inspection of the scene on which 

 it occurred, proved that the giant strength of the victim had 

 been paralyzed in an instant. Authors have asserted that 

 the king of beasts is sometimes carried fifteen or twenty 

 miles, "riding proudly" on the back of the giraffe; but 

 notwithstanding the amazing and acknowledged power of this 

 superb animal, I am greatly disposed to question his ability 

 to maintain so long a race under such merciless jockeyship ! 



Sensations very well described capitally, indeed ! only 

 it is surprising how much alike "First Giraffe Hunts" must 

 be, since such a remarkable coincidence of feeling expe- 

 rienced, and of the action described, should have occurred 

 in these two thus, performed by different persons, at an 

 interval of ten years. The fact of their being so much 

 alike, may console those of us in this prosy real world who 

 may chance to be emulous of a Giraffe Hunt. 



