ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
157 
the horns of other ruminants in being separate bony 
processes quite distinct from the skull itself. Its long 
neck conforms to the general type of mammalian structure 
in having only seven vertebrae, as in man, but the bones are 
very long compared with the neck bones of other mammals. 
Its long neck permits of the Giraffe living on the leaves 
of high trees, and in this it is assisted by its remarkable 
tongue which ‘ it appears to use generally as an organ of 
examination, and the power of prehension is so great, that 
the tongue, when extented to the utmost, has been seen to 
grasp an ordinary lump of sugar, of which the animals 
seem very fond, and convey it into the mouth. It has 
also been observed to revert the tongue for the purpose of 
cleaning its nostrils, an office which its flexibility enables 
it to perform in the most perfect manner. The utility of 
such a power of prehension and extension to an animal 
whose principal food consists of the leaves and slender 
twigs of trees is manifest. It is said that the tongue can 
be so tapered as to enter the ring of a very small key. 
The large soft eye of the Giraffe rivals in beauty that of the 
Gazelle, and it is ‘ so placed that the animal can see much 
of what is passing on all sides, even behind it, without 
turning its head. Thus it is hunted down with the great¬ 
est difficulty, and if surprised, or run down, it can direct 
the rapid storm of kicks, by which it defends itself, in the 
most accurate manner. ’ The Arabs have great difficulty in 
capturing it, as it runs with great speed, and it is stated that 
“ the swiftest horse, if unaccustomed to the desert, could 
not come up with it unless with extreme difficulty.” 
It also jumps considerable heights, and this Giraffe, when 
it was kept at the other side of the Gardens, near to the 
infantry lines, cleared a six-foot fence on the first occasion 
