THE GIRAFFE. 35l 



Known to the ancients. 



of it, which appears more authentic than those of 

 most of the old writers. 



" The ambassadors from the Axiomitae," says 

 this prelate, " brought presents to Hydaspes, 

 and, among other things, there was an animal of 

 a strange and wonderful species, about the size 

 of a camel, and marked upon the skin with florid 

 spots. The hinder parts, from the loins, were 

 low, like those of a lion ; but the shoulders, fore- 

 feet, and breast, were elevated above proportion 

 to the other parts. The neck was small, and 

 lengthened out from its large body like that of a 

 swan. The head, in form, resembled a camel, 

 but was, in size, about twice that of the Lybian 

 ostrich, and it rolled the eyes, which had a film 

 over them, very frightfully. It differs in its gait 

 from every other land or water animal, waddling 

 in a remarkable manner. Each leg does not 

 move alternately, but those on the right side 

 move together, independently o the other, and 

 those of the left in the same manner, so that 

 each side is alternately elevated. It is so tract- 

 able as to be led by a small string fastened to the 

 head, by which the keeper conducts it as he 

 pleases, as if with the strongest chain. When 

 this animal appeared, it struck the whole multi- 

 tude with terror; and took its name from the 

 principal parts of its body, being called by the 

 people, extempore, camelopardalis." 



In the year 1 507, one of these animals seems 

 to have been brought to Grand Cairo, in Egypt; 

 i'or Baumgarten says, that " on the 26th of Oc^ 



