CHAP. VIII.] 
TEE GIRAFFE ; 
34 i 
a peculiarly heavy appearance to the shoulders, much 
heightened by a large and stiff black mane like that of 
a hog-maned horse. I have a pair of horns in my 
possession that I obtained through the assistance of a 
lion, who killed the maharif while drinking near my 
tent * unfortunately, the skin was torn to pieces, and 
the horns and skull were all that remained. 
Failing, as usual, in my endeavours to obtain a shot, 
I made a considerable circuit, and shortly observed the 
tall heads of giraffes towering over the low mimosas. 
There is no animal in nature so picturesque in his 
native haunts as the giraffe. His food consists of the 
leaves of trees, some qualities forming special attrac¬ 
tions, especially the varieties of the mimosa, which, 
being low, permit an extensive view to his telescopic 
eyes. He has a great objection to high forests. The 
immense height of the giraffe gives him a peculiar 
advantage, as he can command an extraordinary range 
of vision, and thereby be warned against the approach 
of his two great enemies, man and the lion. No animal 
is more difficult to stalk than the giraffe, and the most 
certain method of hunting is that pursued by the Hamran 
Arabs, On the frontiers of Abyssinia, who ride him down 
and hamstring him with the broadsword at full gallop. 
A good horse is required, as, although the gait of a 
giraffe appears excessively awkward from the fact of 
