J4S MAMMALIA ORDER VLUNGULATA. 



them quite unlike, as regards proportion, the corresponding elements in the 

 skeleton of an ordinary Ruminant, although retaining precisely the same 

 structure. Similarly, in the hinder-limb, it is the cannon-bone below the 

 ankle-joint, or hock, and the tibia above, which have been thus elongated. 

 To one unacquainted with anatomy, it might appear that a giraffe and a hip- 

 popotamus would differ greatly in regard to the number of vertebrae in the 

 neck ; but, nevertheless, both conform in this respect to the ordinary 

 Mammalian type, possessing only seven of such segments. 



Other noticeable features in the organisation of the giraffe are the large size 

 and prominence of the liquid eyes, and the great length of the extensile 

 tongue ; the former being designed to give the creature the greatest possible 

 range of vision, while the extensibility of the latter enhances the capability 

 of reaching the foliage of tall trees afforded by the lengthened limbs and 

 neck. In comparison with the slenderness of the neck, the head of the giraffe 

 appears of relatively large size ; but this bulk, which is probably necessary 

 to the proper working of the long tongue, is compensated by the extreme 

 lightness and porous structure of the bones of the skull. Somewhat stiff 

 and ungainly in its motions the small number of vertebrae not admitting of 

 the graceful arching of the neck the giraffe in all its organisation is admirably 

 adapted to a life on open plains dotted over with tall trees, upon which it 

 can browse without fear of competition by any other living creature. Its 

 wide range of vision affords it timely warning of the approach of foes ; from 

 the effect of sand-storms it is protected by the power of automatically closing 

 its nostrils ; while its capacity of existing for months at a time without 

 drinking renders it suited to inhabit waterless districts like the northern part 

 of the great Kalahari desert. Although capable of withstanding the want of 

 water for a long period during the summer, the giraffe, when opportunity 

 offers, will drink long and frequently ; but it is certain that for more than 

 half the year, in many parts of Southern Africa at least, it never takes water 

 at all. In certain districts, as in the Northern Kalahari, this abstinence is, 

 from the nature of the country, involuntary ; but according to Mr. Bryden, 

 the giraffes living in the neighbourhood of the Botletli River their only 

 source of water never drink therefrom throughout the spring and winter 

 months. When a giraffe does drink, unless it wades into the stream, it is 

 compelled to straddle its fore-legs far apart in order to bring down its lips to 

 the required level, and the same ungainly attitude is perforce assumed on the 

 rare occasions when it grazes. 



Absent from the countries to the north of the Sahara, as well as in the great 

 forest regions of the west, which are unsuitable to its habits, the giraffe at 

 the present day ranges from the North Kalahari and Northern Bechuanaland 

 in the south, through such portions of Eastern and Central Africa as are 

 suited to its mode of life, to the Southern Sudan in the north. Unhappily, 

 however, it is almost daily diminishing in numbers throughout a large area 

 of Southern and Eastern Africa, and its distributional area as steadily 

 shrinking. Whether it was ever found to the south of the Orange River and 

 in the Cape Colony may be doubtful, although there are traditions that it 

 once occurred there. Apart from this, it is definitely known that about the 

 year 1813 these animals were met with only a little to the north of the last- 

 named river ; while as late as 1836 they were still common throughout the 

 Transvaal, and more especially near the junction of the Marico with the 

 Limpopo River. Now their last refuge in these districts is the extreme 

 eastern border of the Transvaal (where only a few remain), and the district 



