The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-08-14
Short Lessons In Natural History

From the " estem R1ral-
The camelopard is An African ruminant
He is formed like came! and spotted lik'
leopard. and named after both. Their
is but single specie, Of this peculiar ami
NAL. His feet and legs are like those Of {
deer; his neck like that of q horse, anG
upon his head he wears short, persistent
horns, which are found alike on the NAL,
and female. His body is short, and in
clined downward from the neck, Leaving
the shoulders high. His neck is very
long. leaving his head twelve or fifteer
feet above the ground.
A man standing upon the camel leop
ards back could reach only the top Of hi
horns. and were this animal standing b!
the side Of the elephant, his head would
be elevated at least seven feet above hi
back. His eyes are beautiful, large, soft
and brilliant, and so situated that tn,
animal can see IN all directions. Hencs
he can serve as his own picket guard. Hi.
nostrils are provided with peculiar muscles
which enable him to shut them at pleas
ure, like the eyes. His color is yellow
tinged with white and spotted with brown
All things considered, the camelopard is {
very singular animal.
The carping Button found in him many
'malformations and Deficiencies, but the
careful observer finds IN the camelopard
as in universal nature. the most extraor'
binary adaptation Of all his parts, and the
application of all the contrivances of his
mechanism. to the very stage on which
he acts II he were different from what
he is, the object of his creation would moi
be answered. Many advantages given "a
other creatures are denied him, hut for nc
other reason than that they would be en-
tirely useless 10 him.
He enjoys advantages in abundance
which are denied to the rest OF the crea-
ton. For instance the immense length
Of his legs and neck, raising his head ff-
teen feet above the level plain, makes il
next to impossible 'or him TO Craze on the
ground, while other animals Of kindred
habits seem every way adapted TO this
method Of procuring food. Now what Is
the compensation for this seeming def
ciency2 He lives in the SANDY and arid
desert, where vegetables are scarce. He
could not subsist upon this alone. His
favorite food is the delicate and succulent
leaves and iwigs Of the tallest trees, which
are peculiar to those districts which he in
habits. But this food could not be gather
ed if he had n 1t long neck and long legs.
and tongue Of peculiar formation. Now
why has he been 80 formed2 Why placed
in the deserts Of Africa and IndiaY And
Why are his tastes adapted to the only food
which is provided for him. and which no
animal, differently constructed. could pro-
cure?
But one answer can be given 10 these
questions. The Creator has perfectly
adapted thu camelopard 10 his place in
the animal world. His means Of defence
are limited. He relies for safety mainly
upon vigilance in avoiding stealthy at
tacks. The lion is the only beast Of prey
which he has reason tn fear. He Is con-
stantly on guard against surprise and at
tack from him. When assailed by his
foes he fights with good degree Of sue
cess BY kicking with his hind feet
The camelopari is awkward in bis move
ments, but be moves quite rapidly, even
with the swiftness Of feet horse. He 10
a harmless animal. and when taken young.
is easily tanned. Yet tanning amounts 10
nothing except 10 crafty curiosity, as he
cannot be subjected 10 any useful service
for man. He is very rare. even in the
where he belongs. We frequent
ly see this animal IN the menageries Of
this country. yet he is short-lived when
from his own country. A single
is worth $4,000, when in
good condition.