110 THE GIRAFFE. 



females from thirteen to fourteen feet. They feed on 

 the leaves of trees, particularly of the mimosa, and 

 also on the herbage of the prairies, which they can 

 browse without kneeling down, although the contrary 

 has been stated. But they often lie down, either to 

 ruminate or to sleep, from which cause a considerable 

 callosity is formed on the sternum and on the knees. 

 These animals are peaceable and timid, and in presence 

 of any danger their first movement is to fly. They trot 

 very swiftly, and a good horse can with difficulty keep 

 pace with them. But what a singular gait ! perched at 

 the extremity of a long neck, which works in a single 

 piece from the shoulders, the head incessantly sways 

 backwards and forwards, as if the animal were lame. 

 When we see him in front, the anterior part of the 

 body being much larger than the posterior, it is easy 

 to fancy ourselves in front of the trunk of a dead tree. 

 Although giraffes flee from danger, it is not cor- 

 rect to say that they will make no resistance when the 

 opportunity of flight is closed to them. It is true that 

 their means of defence are but small. Their frontal 

 horny protuberances do not appear to be of any 

 assistance to them. Le Yaillant never saw them 

 use them against his dogs ; but they have their 

 feet, and they use them very courageously. The 

 hind quarters are so light, and their kicks so rapid, 

 that the eye cannot follow them ; and this means of 



