AFRICA. 279 
part, It completely conceals the latter; fo that 
the animal refembles the Handing trunk of a 
dead tree. 
Its gait, when it walks, is neither awkward 
nor unpleafing ; but it is ridiculous enough 
when it trots ; for you would tlien take it for 
a limping beaft, feeing its head, perched at 
the extremity of a long neck which never 
bends, fwaying backwards and forwards, the 
neck and head playing in one piece between 
the fhoulders as on an axis. However, as the 
length of the neck exceeds that of the legs at 
leaft four inches, it is evident that, the length 
of the head too taken into the account, it can 
feed on grafs without difficulty ; and of courfe 
is not obliged either to kneel down, or to 
ftraddle v^ith its feet, as fome authors have 
aflerted. 
Its mpde of defence, like that of the horfe 
and other folidungulous animals, confifis in 
kicking with the heels. But its hind parts 
are fo light, and its jerks fo quick, that the 
eye cannot count them. They are even fuf-. 
ficient to defend it againft the lion, though 
they are unable to proted it from the impe-^ 
tijous attack of the tiger. 
T4 Its 
