hazard assertion of the belief, that
the camelopard is neither more nor less than a species of wild camel.

Its appearance need not be described. Every eye is familiar with the
slender form, long neck, smooth coat, and spotted skin of this singular
animal. But its habits are less understood, and this arises from
several distinct causes. In the first place, the giraffe inhabits only
those countries about which very little is known by civilised people;
secondly, it is but rarely seen, even by travellers; and, thirdly, when
it _is_ encountered in its native haunts, it is of so shy a disposition,
and so ready to take flight, that scarce any opportunity is ever
obtained for properly observing it.

The giraffe is exclusively confined to the continent of Africa; but its
range is by no means limited. It was formerly common enough as far
south as the Cape itself, whence it was driven by the Dutch and
Hottentot hunters. It is not now met with to the south of the Great
Orange River. Northward from this point, it extends to Nubia and
Abyssinia; but it does not appear that it inhabits the western section
of the continent, since it is not heard of in Guinea, or any of the
countries on the Atlantic coast. In the interior it is common enough.

The giraffes herd together in small troops--consisting of ten or a dozen
individuals--and prefer the open forests, or rather the hills covered
with copses of acacia and other African trees. Their principal food is
the foliage of these trees; and one species of mimosa--the _camel-doorn_
(camel-thorn) of the Dutch hunters--is their especial favourite. The
leaves of this tree, like all others of the acacia tribe, are of pinnate
form, and sweet to the taste; and the giraffe browses upon them,
standing erect, with its long neck outstretched to a height of nearly
twenty feet! Its tongue is possessed of a peculiarly prehensile power,
and with this extended a foot or more beyond the lips, it can sweep in
the leaves and twigs for a wide circle around its muzzle.

When affrighted and put to its speed, the giraffe appears to go with an
up-and-down gait, and some travellers have alleged that it limps. This
arises from the fact, that every time it lifts its fore-feet, it throws
back its long neck, which on other occasions is always held erect. It
sometimes travels with a pacing step, but it can also gallop after the
manner of a horse, and is even so swift that it requires a horse at full
speed