GIRAFFE. 
33* 
are present in both sexes, making their appearance even before birth. They are 
erect, subconical processes of bone, which at first are entirely separate from the 
bones of the skull, although in later life completely uniting with them. They are 
thus essentially different from the horn-cores of the oxen and their allies, from 
which they are likewise distinguished by being invested with skin instead of 
horn; while, as we shall see in the next chapter, they are equally distinct from 
the antlers of the deer. With 
the exception that they are 
at first separate bones, in¬ 
stead of part and parcel of 
the skull, they appear on the 
whole to come nearest to 
the horn-cores of the prong- 
buck, which, as already 
mentioned, are coated with 
a hairy skin beneath the 
deciduous horny sheath. I 11 
addition to these paired 
horns, there is a dome-like 
bony protuberance occupy¬ 
ing the middle line of the 
skull between the eyes, 
which is frequently referred 
to as the third horn. The 
position and relations of 
these three appendages of 
the skull are well indicated 
in our figure of the giraffe’s 
skeleton. 
The skull of the giraffe 
is further characterised by 
the great elevation of the 
forehead and face above the 
level of the eyes, this being 
due to the development of a 
number of air-cells in the 
bones. There is also a large 
unossified space immediately 
below the eye. As regards 
the teeth, those of the upper giraffes at a pool. 
cheek-series are remarkable 
for the lowness and breadth of their crowns, and the roughness of the enamel with 
which they are invested; while there are no canines in the upper jaw. 
Reverting to the consideration of the external characteristics of the giraffe, we 
note that the ears are large and pointed, and that the large and slit-like nostrils 
can be completely closed at the will of their owner. Moreover, the tongue is 
