THE EUMINANT OEDEB. 243 



paintings or bas-reliefs whicli have been banded down to us, 

 there are figures which represent it ; Pliny, Oppian, and Helio- 

 dorus also make mention of it. The Romans possessed living 

 specimens of this animal, which they exhibited in their circuses, 

 and it appeared in the procession of the " Triumph." Several 

 G-iraflfes were introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages 

 and the Renaissance. Bufibn was unable personally to examine 

 this animal ; but the illustrious traveller, LevaiHant, who died 

 almost in poverty, after having sacrificed his fortune to long and 

 perilous journeys in Africa, sent to the Jardin des Plantes, at 

 Paris, the first stuffed Giraife which that institution possessed. 



Levaillant thus gives a description of the chase by which he 

 became possessed of this rare animal :* — 



" I began one day to hunt at sunrise, in the hope of finding 

 game to add to my provisions. After hours of riding, I per- 

 ceived on a brow of a hill seven Giraffes, which my Dogs 

 immediately attacked. Six of these immediately took flight in 

 the same direction, but the seventh, sui'rounded by my Hounds, 

 went off another way. At this moment my companion was 

 walking and leading his Horse by the bridle ; in less than a 

 second, he was in his saddle and pursuing the herd. I followed 

 the single one with all speed ; but, notwithstanding the efibrts of 

 my horse, it gained so much on me that, on turning a corner of 

 a hillock, it was quite out of sight, so I relinquished the pursuit. 

 My Dogs, however, were not long in reaching it ; for they 

 soon came so near as to force it to come to a halt to defend 

 itself. From where I was I heard them baying ; and as the sounds 

 seemed all to come from the same place, I conjectured that the 

 Hounds had driven it into a corner, so immediately hurried towards 

 the spot. 



" I had scarcely, indeed, topped the acclivity, when I perceived 

 the Giraffe surrounded, and endeavouring to keep ofi' its assailants 

 by kicking. Having dismounted, with one shot from my rifle I 

 knocked it over. 



"Delighted with my victory, I was returning on foot to call 

 my people round me to skin and cut up the animal. While I was 

 looking for them I saw Klaas Raster, who was eagerly making 

 signs to me, which at first I could not in the least understand. 



* Secmd Voyage dans I'Interieur di VAfrique, tome ii. p. 220. 



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