THE GIRAFFE. 183 
adapted to the purpose which they are called upon to fulfil. The back of the 
Giraffe slopes considerably from the shoulders to the tail, and at first sight 
the fore legs of the animal appear to be longer than the hinder limbs. The 
legs themselves are, however, of equal length, and the elevation of the 
shoulders is due to the very great elongation of the shoulder-blades. Upon the 
head are two excrescences which resemble horns, and are popularly called 
by that name. They are merely growths or developments of certain bones 
of the skull, somewhat similar to the bony cores on which the hollow horns 
GIRAFFE.—(Giraffa Camelopardalis.) 
of the oxen and antelopes are set... These quasi-horns are covered with skin, 
and have on their summits a tuft of dark hair. On the forehead, and nearly 
between the eyes, a third bony projection is seen occupying the same position 
that was traditionally accredited to the horn of the unicorn. 
The singular height of this animal is entirely in accordance with its habits 
and its mode of acquiring food. As the creature is accustomed to feed upon 
the leaves of trees, it must necessarily be of very considerable stature to be 
able to reach the leaves on which it browses, and must also be possessed of 
