43 



Lion, though of httle avail against the fury and impe° 

 tuosity of the Tiger. 



Its general food consists of the leaves of a species 

 of Mimosa, called by the natives, kanaap, and by the 

 planters, kamel-doorn ; though when grass is to be 

 obtained (which from the scarcity of pasture in the 

 southeni provinces of Africa is but seldom) in com- 

 mon with other horned cattle, it joyfully partakes of 

 such a repast. An erroneous opinion, however, has 

 been promulgated, that when feeding upon shrubs 

 and herbage, it is compelled to extend its legs to a 

 considerable distance, in order to bring its mouth ia 

 contact with the earth. This, Mr. Vaillant, who has 

 been peculiarly explicit upon the subject, contradicts, 

 from his own experience and observation both whilst 

 grazing and drinking, and pertinently remarks, that 

 if we will compare the length of the neck with that 

 of the legs and body, we shall discover there is no 

 necessity for this unnatural assistance. This testi- 

 mony is also confirmed by the representation given of 

 the GirafFa in the beautiful Proenestine pavement of 

 Sylla, where we observe it delineated amidst a herd 

 of African quadrupeds, browsing in the customary 

 posture of other beasts. 



