ipo THE GIRAFFE—CAMEL—BUFFALO 
has knowledge of, is given to him in order that he may be able to reach 
up into the trees for the leaves which form his principal food. His 
peculiar tongue is so delicate that the giraffe is able to pluck a single 
blade of grass. The tongue can not only be lengthened or shortened 
at will, but can also be widened and contracted. In spite of the huge 
size of the animal, it can pass its tongue into a tube which would 
scarcely admit of an ordinary lead pencil. When we consider the 
A HUNTER’S PARADISE 
great height of the giraffe’s head and that it sometimes feeds on grass, 
it may easily be imagined that it is difficult and awkward for it to 
reach the ground. It accomplishes the feat, however, by spreading 
its front legs to their utmost extent and making full use of its long 
neck and flexible tongue above referred to. The giraffe being naturally 
defenseless, is compelled to depend on speed to enable him to escape 
