CHAP. XIX 
THE GIRAFFE 
5 
The long neck swings ungracefully when the animal 
is in rapid motion, and the clumsy half-canter 
produces the appearance of lameness. Although 
inelegant when in action, it is capable of consider¬ 
able speed, that will test the endurance of the best 
horses that can be obtained in such countries as it 
inhabits. 
It may be readily imagined that, owing to the 
great height of this animal, it can be distinguished 
from a distance, and does not require an elaborate 
search, nevertheless it is exceedingly deceptive 
in appearance when found among its native 
forests. 
The red-barked mimosa, which is its favourite 
food, seldoms grows higher than 14 or 15 feet. 
Many woods are almost entirely composed of these 
trees, upon the flat heads of which the giraffe can 
feed when looking downwards. I have frequently 
been mistaken when remarking some particular dead 
tree-stem at a distance, that appeared like a decayed 
relic of the forest, until upon nearer approach I have 
been struck by the peculiar inclination of the trunk ; 
suddenly it has started into movement, and dis¬ 
appeared ! The giraffe seldom holds itself quite 
upright, except at such moments when its attention 
is attracted to some object at a distance. 
It is most difficult to approach, as its large eyes, 
at an elevation of 18 or 19 feet from the surface, 
embrace an extensive field of vision; but when found 
in a forest of large trees, it is occasionally met with 
unexpectedly. The Hamran Arabs invariably 
