THE FIRST GIRAFFE HUNT, 571 
on a pivot, instead of being flexible like that of the swan or 
peacock, to which, from its length, it has been likened. 
The giraffe utters no ery whatever. Both sexes have 
horns, covered with hair, and are similarly marked with 
an angular and somewhat symmetrical pattern. The male 
increases in depth of color according to the age, and in some 
specimens is nearly black; but the female is smaller in 
stature, and of a lighter color, approaching to yellow. 
Although very extensive, the range of its habitat is exclu- 
sively confined to those regions in which the species of 
mimosa termed mokaala, or kameel-doorn, is abundant, the 
leaves, shoots, and blossoms of that tree being its ordinary 
food. 
On the 22d, being encamped on the banks of a small 
stream, a cameleopard was killed by a lion, whilst in the 
act of drinking, at no great distance from the wagons. It 
was a noisy affair, but an inspection of the scene on which 
it occurred, proved that the giant strength of the victim had 
been paralyzed in an instant. Authors have asserted that 
the king of beasts is sometimes carried fifteen or twenty 
miles, “riding proudly’? on the back of the giraffe; but 
notwithstanding the amazing and acknowledged power of this 
superb animal, I am greatly disposed to question his ability 
to maintain so long a race under such merciless jockeyship ! 
Sensations very well described—capitally, indeed !—only 
it is surprising how much alike “First Giraffe Hunts” must 
be, since such a remarkable coincidence of feeling expe- 
rienced, and of the action described, should have occurred 
in these two thus, performed by different persons, at an 
interval of ten years. The fact of their being so much 
alike, may console those of us in this prosy real world who 
may chance to be emulous of a Giraffe Hunt. 
a 
