242 
Mammalia. 
time as they move their body their long neck is stretched 
forward, giving them an excessively awkward appearance. When 
at rest, their neck enables them to reach with their tongue the 
leaves on the tops of high shrubs, which constitute a large part of 
their food. 
In menageries Giraffes are fed, like other Ruminants, on corn, 
maize, carrots, and fodder. When in a wild state, the foliage 
of several species of Mimosa forms their principal support. Their 
disposition is as gentle as their appearance. Hor do they generally 
take flight at the sight of a human being, unless approached too 
closely. When taken captive, the Giraffe is docile even to timidity. 
If it is teased it never gives way to temper, makes no hostile 
movements with its horns, but only paws the ground with its 
fore-feet, rarely, but occasionally, kicking after the manner of a 
Horse at the object which has provoked its hostility. 
It is very difficult, almost impossible, to take a mature Giraffe 
alive ; for they run with such speed and with a succession of such 
wonderful bounds, that the swiftest Horses can scarcely overtake 
them. In order to capture them, the period when the young are 
sucklings is selected, when, if the captor is fortunate enough to 
keep the youngster alive for a few days, it becomes quiet, and even 
tame ; but very often the poor captive refuses all nourishment, 
and dies in consequence. 
The chief enemies of the Giraffe are the Lion and Panther. 
In the open plain it distances them with ease ; but if it is sur- 
prised from ambush by one of these Felidae, although it exhibits 
both courage and strength in resisting its assailant, striking with 
its fore-feet with such force as to prove occasionally fatal to the 
foe ; but too frequently its efforts are unavailing. 
The Giraffe must number Man also among its enemies. The 
Hottentots hold its flesh in high esteem, and with its thick skin 
they .make straps, vessels, and leather bottles to hold water. By 
lying in wait for it at a favourite feeding or watering-place they 
shoot it with poisoned arrows. The more frequent use of fire- 
arms in hunting this beautiful animal will certainly before long 
lead to a complete annihilation of these wonderful and docile 
creatures. 
The ancients were acquainted with the Giraffe. The Hippardion 
of Aristotle is the Giraffe badly defined ; in the Egyptian 
