54 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
giraffes, as they have always appeared to me the 
most harmless creatures that exist. They never 
invade the natives’ crops, neither do they attack any 
animals, or man, but they simply enjoy themselves 
in their harmless manner, their only enemies being 
the lion and human beings. 
It is a curiously beautiful picture when a large 
herd of these animals is seen upon bright green 
pasture, among dwarf-mimosas and other small 
bushes, which, through contrast, enhance the great 
height of the giraffes. I once counted one hundred 
and fifty-four, all of which were within the area of 
3 or 4 acres. I made a successful stalk, and 
killed two by a right and left shot. One had a broken 
shoulder, and was quite incapable of any movement, 
beyond the slowest attempt at hobbling. I have 
never pursued them except upon occasions when my 
people were devoid of meat, as the destruction of 
such lovely creatures without some necessary purpose 
I regarded as wanton cruelty. 
The eye of the giraffe is worth special study, as 
there is nothing to compare with its beauty throughout 
the animal creation. 
Although some naturalists have termed the giraffe 
“a modified deer,” I cannot accept the definition, as 
there is nothing relating to the deer, excepting the 
peculiarity of the horns, which have a somewhat re¬ 
mote resemblance to those of a young stag. The deer 
has a short tail, while that of the giraffe is long, and 
fringed with so important a garniture of black hairs 
that it is in request for whisking away the attacks of 
