240 
MAMMALIA. 
singular proportions of its body, the beauty of its coat and the 
peculiarity of its gait, are sufficient to explain the curiosity which 
these animals have always excited. 
Its long and tapering head is lighted up by two large, 
animated, and gentle eyes ; its forehead is adorned with two 
horns, which consist of a porous, bony substance, covered exter- 
nally with a thick skin and bristly hair. In the middle of the 
forehead there is a protuberance of the same nature as the horns, 
but wider and shorter. The ears are membranous, are in the shape 
of a cornet, and are somewhat turned back. 
The nostrils do not open in a muzzle, that is to say, the 
skin which surrounds them is not bare, like that of the Ox. 
The lips are long and mobile, and the upper one is not split 
like that of the Camel. Its long dark tongue frequently is 
ejected from its mouth, and the animal delights in licking its lips 
and nostrils. 
The head of the Giraffe is supported by a very long neck, 
which, however, unlike that of other Mammals, is composed of but 
seven vertebrae. Along the neck is a short, thin mane, which 
extends from the occiput to the withers. The body is short, 
and the line of the backbone is very sloping. Its fore- quarters 
are higher than the hinder — a feature which is observed in the 
Hyaena. Its legs are most extensively developed in the shanks, 
as well as in the fore- arms and tibiae, and are terminated by 
cloven hoofs, which have no rudimentary toes. The tail, which 
is of a moderate length, is terminated by a tuft of blackish hair. 
The skin, which is of a very light fawn-colour, is covered with 
short hair, marked with large triangular or oblong spots of a 
darker shade. These markings are not found on the inside 
of the limbs or on the shanks and belly, which are almost pure 
white. 
Giraffes are only found in Africa, and even there they are not 
numerous. They live in families of from twelve to sixteen 
members, sometimes, but rarely, more. They frequent the verge 
of the deserts, and are met with from the northern limits of Cape I 
Colony to Nubia. 
The usual pace of the Giraffe is an amble, that is to say, they 
move both their legs on one side at the same time. Their mode 
of progression is singular and very ungainly. At the same 
