AFRICA. 40^ 
Had Nature endowed the giraffe with an 
irafcible difpofition, it certainly would have 
had caufe to complain ; for the means Vv^ith 
which it is provided, either for attack or de- 
fence, are very trifling. It is indeed a peace- 
ful and timid animal ; it fhuns danger, and 
flies from it, trotting along very fall: a good 
horfe can with difficulty overtake it. 
It is faid that it has not fl:rength to defend 
itfelf ; but I know, beyond a doubt, that by its 
kicking it often tires out, difcourages, and even 
beats off the lion. Except upon one occafion 
I never faw it make ufe of its horns : they 
may be confidered as of no utihty, w^ere it 
pofl[ible to doubt of the wifdom and precau- 
tion employed by Nature, whofe motives we 
are not always able to comprehend. 
I have thought it neceffary, in compliance 
with the wifhes of thofe who requefted them, 
to accompany thefe two figures with a con- 
cife defcription, which will ferve to illuftrate 
them better : but I muft inform the reader, 
that I have not here faid all that I intend 
refpeding this extraordinary animal. 
END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. 
