Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-08-14


pressive head high above It's wondering beholders
the privileged occupant OF ofer sphere OF vision, Il
unique and striking. This extraordinary elevation o
the neck ard head, viewed IN connccneH with th'
gigantic SUBMISSIONS of the whole frame produces al
impression OF mighty stature and agility combined
such as no other animal can convey, and which inva
riably exceeds expectation. The large dark spots
which dapple its soft, sleek skin, are like those
the leopard, although IL IS indebted 10 these for
moley OF Its ancient and still commOn OF Ca
meleopard. They are rather square ard irregularly
angular than circular, and arranged with much
regularity. On the head two small blunt horns,
about Six inches in length, tlpt with small tufts OF
erect hair, and standing nearly parallel to each other
The ears, which some writers describe as constantly
bent forward, are beautifully formed, and the animal
having an acute sense Of hearing, turns them with
spirited faxlblly in the direction of distant sounds
The male and female differ so little appearance
from each other that they scarcely be distln
gulshed at distance of twenty PAGES The prevail
ing color of both, WIDEN young, is that OF brownish
red, which deepens with increased age. The female
has four teats bears one foa BIRTH and gestates
q whole year.
The Giraffe is never seen 10 crop its food from the
level ground although il will browse upon the herb
ags which il finds upon shelving banks and other
elevated positions lis ordinary food is the foliage Of
trees and particularly the leaves OF species of mi
mosa called by the natives kameei dorm; hut il will
eat those of the oak the brar and nearly all others
u
for those that also aromatic. In its donesca ted
state II will eat hay clover, and fine straw, like the
horse but the absence Gifts natural green food IL
IS found necessary 10 supply i occasionally with es-
culen roots and juicy fruits Its tongue very long
and black, coated with hard impervieus skin and
possessing taperng contracubliity, admiralty adapt.
ed 10 It's gathering its favore food from among the
involved and formidably pricky branches of the mt
nosa.
Its ordinary speed is equal 10 that Of high-bred
horse, and the length of its majestic strides when in
full career perhaps exceeds that Of any other animal
Although tmld al the approach of man. II defends IL
self with much vaor against the attacks of inferior
ANIMALS, and even OF the hon. kicking powerfully
with his heels, or rearing on them and striking with
its fore feet with great rapdy and precision. In no
kaown instance has the Giraffe been found slain by
any beast OF prey.
In the freedom of its native plains, and when row
ing in those splendid herds in which II chiefly SEEM
with Its unrestrained disposition and powers in full
display, the Giraffe is animal Of transcendent mag.
nlhccnce and interest. Exqulsitely gifted with the
senses of sight, SCENT and hearing, the approach Of
the hunter fails 10 starte the browsing groups
from their woodland retreats and TO send Them with
their lion like tails arched high upon their launches
in full fpecd The vast level plains in which they
rove. Having acquired distance which commands |
good circuit of view, the collected herd wheelround |
lifting their lofty necks 10 the highest stretch until
tall and patriarchal cheflan Of the group gives
the signal for further retreat, or for dlgnied and
more lesurey return the clusters OF trees which
they feed. IL the hunter is bent upon pursuit. he will
now breathe his sced awhile kno wing that It's speed
and bottom will soon be taxed 10 its utmost psnt.-
When prepared for the start he spurs forward, with
his iasso, noosed rope, ready coiled in his right
hand for the exercise OF his skill. He finds that
the immense strides of bis nsble game are leaving
him far behind and he has recourse the stratagem
which his experience mas taught him Is indispensable
TO his success. In common with all other wild and
tmd animals when pursued the Graffes direct their
course to the windward. The hcncr aware Of this
turns his horse three -four points from the lnc of
their course, as II intending 10 pass them far ahead
and thus whilst they keep their eye upon him as the
pursued rather than the pursuer they nsensiby APP
proach hm--the diagonal line OF his course CONVEX
ging 10 them; and he comes iato the midst OF the
herd, netwIth standing their superior speed, because
they have to run distance equal TO about one third
Of circle more than their willy foe has TO perform in
the same time II he hunter has well hBsbandcd the
strength OF his horse he now dashes toward come
particular Giraffe always selecting the smallest
which he hopes to capture; and throwing The nsose
of his iasso over its head, instantly leaps from has
horse before the Giraffe has run out the length Of the
long coil which he holds loosely in his hand The first
full tension Of the rope ghteRs the moose round the
neck every Struggle Increases the sufocatlng pres
sure and the capye falls back upon his launches and
reels 10 the ground.
The hunter still, keeping the fope moderately
strained approachos the exhausted animal, leaps
astride ia head and using It's long neck as lever,
to- the control Of the body firmly holds the creature
down until the Hottentot achter rider comes up with
a halter which is provided for the purpose and the
same is adjusted upon the head of The animal with
the asso attached 10 one end Of it. The noble priso
ner s then allowed 10 get up and gradually drawn in
by the hunters and secured.
wagon 4 then brought from the hunters encamp.
ment-often six or seven hours journey distant and
water, welcome water, not often 70 DC tound on inc
omen and arid plains is brought 10 assuage the thirst
sf man and beast-a thirst of which those who have
net hunted The swift Giraffe, in the mercles glare OF
torrid mn, can form but slight dea
The description Gelus affords US 81 INC Glrshei
elopards al Caro-, winch he thus describes On their
heads are TIVE horns SIX inches long and IN the raid
die Of their forehead tubercc rises 70 the height Of
about two inches, which appears like a third horn
The animal he spoke OF was sixteen feet high when
il held up i,s head Its neck alone was seven feet
and il was twenty-five feet long from the TIP Of the
nose 10 the end of the tail It's legs nearly Of an