THE EUMINANT OEDEE. 
243 
paintings or bas-reliefs which have been handed down to ns, 
there are figures which represent it; Pliny, Oppian, and Helio- 
dorus also make mention of it. The Romans possessed living 
specimens of this animal, which they exhibited in their circuses, 
and it appeared in the procession of the “ Triumph.” Several 
Giraffes were introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages 
and the Renaissance. Buffon was unable personally to examine 
this animal ; but the illustrious traveller, Levaillant, who died 
almost in poverty, after having sacrificed his fortune to long and 
perilous journeys in Africa, sent to the Jardin des Plantes, at 
Paris, the first stuffed Giraffe which that institution possessed. 
Levaillant thus gives a description of the chase by which he 
became possessed of this rare animal :*■ — 
“ I began one day to hunt at sunrise, in the hope of finding 
game to add to my provisions. After hours of riding, I per- 
ceived on a brow of a hill seven Giraffes, which my Bogs 
immediately attacked. Six of these immediately took flight in 
the same direction, but the seventh, surrounded by my Hounds, 
went off another way. At this moment my companion was 
walking and leading his Horse by the bridle ; in less than a 
second, he was in his saddle and pursuing the herd. I followed 
the single one with all speed ; but, notwithstanding the efforts of 
my horse, it gained so much on me that, on turning a corner of 
a hillock, it was quite out of sight, so I relinquished the pursuit. 
My Bogs, however, were not long in reaching it ; for they 
soon came so near as to force it to come to a halt to defend 
itself. From where I was I heard them baying ; and as the sounds 
seemed all to come from the same place, I conjectured that the 
Hounds had driven it into a corner, so immediately hurried towards 
the spot. 
“ I had scarcely, indeed, topped the acclivity, when I perceived 
the Giraffe surrounded, and endeavouring to keep off’ its assailants 
by kicking. Having dismounted, with one shot from my rifle I 
knocked it over. 
“Belighted with my victory, I was returning on foot to call 
my people round me to skin and cut up the animal. While I was 
looking for them I saw Kdaas B aster, who was eagerly making 
signs to me, which at first I could not in the least understand. 
* Second' Voyage dans V Inter ieur de VAfrique , tome ii. p. 220. 
n 2 
