242 MAMMALIA. 



time as they move their body their long neck is stretched 

 forward, giving them an excessively awkward appearance. When 

 at rest, their neck enables them to reach with their tongue the 

 leaves on the tops of high shrubs, which constitute a large part of 

 their food. 



In menageries Griraifes are fed, like other Ruminants, on com, 

 maize, carrots, and fodder. When in a wild state, the foliage 

 of several species of Mimosa forms their principal support. Their 

 disposition is as gentle as their appearance. Nor do they generally 

 take flight at the sight of a human being, unless approached too 

 closely. When taken captive, the Giraffe is docile even to timidity. 

 If it is teased it never gives way to temper, makes no hostile 

 movements with its horns, but only paws the ground with its 

 fore-feet, rarely, but occasionally, kicking after the manner of a 

 Horse at the object which has provoked its hostility. 



It is very difficult, almost impossible, to take a mature GirafFe 

 alive ; for they run with such speed and with a succession of such 

 wonderful bounds, that the swiftest Horses can scarcely overtake 

 them. In order to capture them, the period when the young are 

 sucklings is selected, when, if the captor is fortunate enough to 

 keejJ the youngster alive for a few days, it becomes quiet, and even 

 tame ; but very often the poor captive refuses all nourishment, 

 and dies in consequence. 



The chief enemies of the GirafFe are the Lion and Panther. 

 In the open plain it distances them with ease ; but if it is sur- 

 prised from ambush by one of these Felidse, although it exhibits 

 both courage and strength in resisting its assailant, striking with 

 its fore-feet with such force as to prove occasionally fatal to the 

 foe ; but too frequently its efforts are unavailing. 



The Giraffe must number Man also among its enemies. The 

 Hottentots hold its flesh in high esteem, and with its thick skin 

 they make straps, vessels, and leather bottles to hold water. By 

 lying in wait for it at a favourite feeding or watering-place they 

 shoot it with poisoned arrows. The more frequent use of fire- 

 arms in hunting this beautiful animal will certainly before long 

 lead to a complete annihilation of these wonderful and docile 

 creatures. 



The ancients were acquainted with the Giraffe. The Hippardion 

 ,of Aristotle is the Giraffe badly defined ; in the Egyptian 



