THE STORY OF THE GIRAFFE. 
285 
In the opinion of modern naturalists, it holds a place by itself between the 
deer and antelopes; it forms, at all events, a group to which no other animals 
belong. The height of the giraffe varies from thirteen to eighteen feet. Its 
beautiful long neck enables it to browse on the leaves of the trees on which 
it feeds. It is very dainty while feeding, and plucks the leaves one by one 
with its long, flexible tongue. The females are of lower stature, and more 
delicately formed than the males. 
The movements of the giraffe are very peculiar, the limbs of each side 
GIRAFFES OF THE KALAHARI DESERT. 
appearing to act together. It is very swift, and can outrun a horse, especially 
if it can get among broken ground and rocks, over which it leaps with a 
succession of frog-like hops. 
The senses of both sight and hearing are highly developed; and the lofty 
position of the head gives to the soft and liquid eyes a wfide field of view. 
The animal’s only means of defense is by kicking out with its legs; and the 
blows thus delivered are of terrific force and power. This mode of attack is 
