1 6 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



of living creatures, and it was not until 1827 that the first specimen 

 reached England alive. This only lived a few months, but others 

 being imported later thrived amazingly, breeding freely, and so 

 stocking the collection of the Zoological Society for some time. 

 The last of the original stock succumbed in 1892, and when the 

 Soudan was closed to the outside world because of the rise of 

 Mahdism, Zoological collectors found it difficult to secure several 

 kinds of animals which the great African continent yields. 



Eventually other specimens reached the Gardens mentioned, 

 and there are to-day four fine examples to be seen there. This 

 in itself shows the strides we have made since Pennant's time, for 

 he observes that had he not seen a dried skin of the Camelopard, 

 he should have been almost inclined to entertain doubts as to the 

 existence of so extraordinary an animal ! 



That Giraffes are not such sweet-tempered creatures as some 

 people who admire their pfetty hide and attractive presentment 

 imagine, may be ascertained by any one visiting the Giraffe house 

 in Regent's Park, for a note in my diary reminds me of a plate 

 that is to be seen on the wall there commemorating a charge made 

 at his keeper by one of the beasts which, fortunately for the former, 

 missed its mark ! 



This, the tallest of all known animals, strikes one as a strange 

 mixture of parts, for, although the name Giraffe is a corruption 

 of the Arabic zirafah, meaning "graceful," it has been recorded 

 that "a careful study of its features will discover in the Giraffe a 

 likeness to the Camel, the Ox, the Deer, the Antelope, the Goat 

 and the Ostrich " ! 



There are two distinct species recognized, one being found in 

 the North and the other in the South of Africa, whilst numerous 

 varieties are known to occur which have been accorded much atten- 

 tion by reason of the colouring varying so much in animals 

 procured from different localities. The male attains a height of 

 nineteen or twenty feet, but the female is shorter. The long thin 

 legs; long, but strong neck; the deception in the length of the 

 front and hind legs by reason of the greater elevation of the withers; 

 the remarkably well-poised head, narrow muzzle, and long tongue; 

 the large, pointed ears, and prominent eyes which give a wide 

 range of vision, are all distinguishing features worthy of note when 

 taking stock of the animal giant now under review. 



Whilst the species inhabiting Northern Africa possesses, as a 



