GIRAFFE, 
cription seems more original and authentic than 
those of most of the old writers. 
f<r The ambassadors from the Axiomitae,” he says, 
rf brought presents to Hydaspes, and, among other 
things, there was an animal of strange and wonder- 
ful species, about the size of a camel, and marked 
upon the skin with florid spots. The hinder parts, 
from the loins, were low, like those of a lion ; but 
the shoulders, fore feet, and breast, were elevated 
above proportion to the other parts. The neck was 
small, and lengthened out from its large body like 
that of a swan. The head, in form, resembled a 
camel, but was in size about twice that of the ly- 
hian struthium, (ostrich) and it rolled the eyes, 
which had a film over them, very frightfully.-— It 
differs in its gait from every other land or water 
animal, waddling in a remarkable manner. Each 
leg does not move alternately, but those on the 
right side move together, independently of the 
other, and those of the left in the same manner, 
so that each side is alternately elevated. It is so 
tractable as to be led by a small string fastened to 
the head, by which the keeper conducts it as he 
pleases, as if with the strongest chain. When this 
animal appeared, it struck the whole multitude 
with terror ; and took its name from the principal 
parts of its body ; being called by the people ex- 
tempore Camelopardalis.” 
The flesh of the young giraffe is said to be good 
eating'. The Hottentots hunt the animal princi- 
pally on account of its marrow, which, as a deli- 
cacy, they set a high value upon 
