THE GIRAFFE. 



the hinder ones, fimilar to a Horfe whofe fore legs are tied together, 

 Although it runs badly, it will continue running for a long time without 

 flopping. It has been fuppofed that it poffefles neither ftrength nor means 

 to defend itfelf ; but Mr. Vaillant fays, " he knows, paft all doubt, that, by 

 its kick, it wearies, difcourages, and diftances the Lion." 



The Giraffe feeds on the leaves of trees, particularly, on a ipecies of 

 Mimofa, which is common in the parts it frequents. The extraordinary 

 length of its neck and legs are admirably well adapted to reach the tender 

 Ihoots which grow on the upper parts of the trees, and it can even add to 

 its ordinary height, by bringing its fore and hind legs nearer together. 

 Grafs is likewife a part of its food, to reach which it is obliged to extend the 

 fore legs, on each fide; and it fometimes bends one knee as Horfes do when 

 grazing. It frequently lies down to lleep or chew the cud, which occafions 

 callofities on the breaft and knees. It is difficult to diftinguifh this creature 

 at any difiiance, the extraordinary length of the neck, joined to fo fhort a 

 body, giving the animal the appearance of a decayed tree, to which the 

 colour does not a little contribute. 



The flefh of the young ones is faid to be good eating, but it is often 

 ilrongly flavoured by the Mimofa on which it feeds. The Hottentots think 

 the marrow a great delicacy, and hunt the creature chiefly for the fake of it. 

 They ufe the fkin to make veflels, for holding water and other liquids. 



The Giraffe appears to have been known early to the Romans, as its 

 figure is among the eaftern animals which are on the celebrated Praeneftine 

 Pavement, made by the direction of Sylla; it is there reprefented both 

 grazing and browfing in its natural attitudes, which is a clear proof that they 

 had feen the animal alive ; it was likewife exhibited at Rome by the popular 

 Casfar among other animals at the Circsean games (a). 



This animal inhabits the vaft forefts of ^Ethiopia, and the interior parts 

 of Africa which have been undilturbed by the refidence of man. 



(a) Pennant HifL Quad. Vol. I. p. 67. 



