The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-04-28
far tie Eaus anh Girls,
THE GIRAFFE.

HE OlNAfEEs
This beautiful and extraordinary animal is
found only il Africa. As the gnoO seems to
combine The properties Of the antelope, horse,
and buffalo. so the GIRAFFE appears to bear
the characteristics Of The antelope and the
camel. In the opinion of modern natural
ISIS, it holds plarc hv itself between TIE
deer and antc'opps 1t forms. at all events.
group to which no other animals belong.
The hcicht Ct the Giraffe varies from thir-
teen to eighteen feet lis beautiful long neck
enables it 70 browse on the leaves of the trees
on which it feeds II is very dainty while fec
ding. and p.Ut ks the leaves one bv one with
its long and flexible tongue On its head
are two very remarkable projections, closely
resembling horns. I Csc projections are
no. horns. Int only .';.scnin.s Of the bone
OF the skull. covered with skin, and bearing a
inf of black hair a! te extremity "f each
The forc-!e"s at first si.ht appear longer
than the hind ones, Lut THIS apparent differ
'.nce is only caused by the great length Of the
shouller-b!alcs. as both pair OF legs are c.! the
same length at their junction with the body
Its eyes are very large and prominent so that
the animal can see on every side without turn
inc its head. Just over and between the eyes
is a bony prominence resembling the project
ing enlarccmcnts OF the skull. called horns.
The use of these projections is not very well
known. as although in play the (;iral. will
swing its head round ard strike with it, yet
when it wishes to repcl an assaiant it has re-
course to violent and rapid kicks from its
hina-lcgs SO light and swift are these kicks
that the eve can scarcely follow them. and so
powerful! are they that the lion is no. nnfrc-
quently driven oil by thm valiant relates
that Girail' which he was hun.n. kept of
his pack OF dogs BY is rapid kicks. Indeed.
if it were to venture It's head too near the H.
on, blow from his tremendous paw would
in all probability lay The animal PROSTATE.
The Giraffe has much difficulty in reach
iny the ground with its mouth nor ,loe> il Of
ten atcmr: to 10 50. unless it is hribed with
something OF which i, is very fond. Snrh as a
lump of sugar. II then s.ra'llles widely with
its forc-lcas. and with some trouble succeeds
in reaching the Object aimed at. This a'ii-
tnde was noticed ar! copied ir the Prei.:,:-
tire pavement.
The appearance OF this animal in its native
haunts is very magn ifircnt "Thesn "ican-
tic ard cxQnisitelv beautiful animals. which
are admirably formed Nv nature TO alorn :hc
forests that clohe thc bound!css plains of the
interior. are widely distributed throughout
the interior Of South Africa. but are nowhere
80 be met with II urea. numbers In conn
tries nnmoln>'cd wv the intrusive foot Of man.
the Giraffe is found generally in herds vary
ing from twelve to sixteen but have not
unfrcGucnt!v met with herbs containing tlr-
ty individuals. and on one o.casion counted
forty together; this. however, was oxinr t.
chance. and about sixteen NAV be reckonci
as tie average number of a herd These
herds are composed OF (irancs of va!;ous :;
yes, from tue young Giraffe of nine or ten feet
in height. TO the dark chestnut cc!orcl o,I
ball OF the herd, whose exalted heal towers
above his companions, generally attaining 70
height OF upwards Of eighteen feet. The
-
catey formed than the males, their hermit
averaging from sixteen TO seventeen feet
Some writers have discoy, red nulincs, and 4
want OF grace in the Giraffe. bit consider
that he Is che of the most strkincIv heau:i-
ful animals IN the creation and when 4 herd
Of them is sen scattered through grove of
the picturesque parasoltoppe" acacias which
asiorn their native plains. and on whose up
permost shoots they are enabled to browse by
the colossal heich: with which ratu,.. has so
admirably endowed them. he must. indeed
be slow %. conception who falls to discover
both grace and dignity in all their move
mcntS. There can be no Il lt that every
animal is seen to the mrcate>. alvantar. in
the ha,n's whlrh nature has destined him 10
adorn. and among the various creatures which
beauty creation, have ot'rn traced n re-
markahlr resemblance between the animaI
and The general appearance, Of the locality in
which /: Is 'ouu,i
" In the case Of TIE Giraffe, which i rnvs.
r'ao'y m"I with AZ -! venerable forests.
where innumerab.e ita>te, and weather heat.
en- trunks and stems occur. ! have repeatedly
been IN d''ht as 20 the presence of tem. IN
III had recourse to NY spy glass: and or re-.
Term" the case to my savage attendants
have known even their OPTICS 10 fail At o,o
time 'nls'akin" these 'iilapla'rd trunks fer
camcleoparC!s, and again confoun,,ino r..:,,
ra'ne'eorards with these aged veteran, Of N.
forest"
Inc movements &c the Giraffe are vcrv
peculiar, the limbs ofcarh side appearing to
act together. 1t is very swift, and can ont
run horse. especially if i. can cc. auonc
''oHen ground and rocks. over which it leans
w';aa succession 0: fros-l:kc hoos.
pANCING MnH TrEy,,rrn ro O,
- The following is part Of letter from tbe
lar's correspondent Of the Coury;cr ,y.s T.,
Ms ms: "Therc is a. .Joubcrt s,roo. "
1''' al Institute where they furnish to order