The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-12-28
re okAPl.
a Newly discovered Animal of Central
Africa,

newly 311tecoVored animal OF CenCFAi
Africa.
Every reader of st. Nicholas has
doubtless visited zoos many times
and become well acquainted with the
different animals he has seen there.
Some of them are very beautiful and
some of them very unpleasing in their
appearance; but l am quite sure none
of them has ever seen such a queer
looking creature as the okapi. He is,
in fact, a newly discovered animal, ana
not variety of any known species,
so you can we'll see his importance and
the interest that his discovery has
particularly in the scientific
world. Animal species have been de-
veloped from few forms, and we can
find many of the links that connect
them; but here and there are gaps and
it is often difficult to find the links
fills one of these gaps. He stands be-
tween the giraffe and antelope, and
partakes of the character of each.
He is found in the forests of Central
Africa, and bears a strong resemblance
to fossil beastwhose skeleton, though
larger, is of about the same proper
tons, and undoubtedly that of an an
eestor.
The okapi stands about five feet agh
at the shoulder. The body, which Is
covered with thick, close hair, is a
brilliant brown, but looks very blue in
the light. The color of the head, which
is cream-yellow, commences abrupt
" at the neck, where the body color
ends. The muzzle is like that of the
giraffe, tapering, and the lips are used
for cropping leaves, which the molar
teeth grind. There are three projec-
tions on the skull, covered with flesh
and hair like those of the giraffe. The
legs and hind quarters are striped, and
on this account many people have
made the mistake of calling him a
zebra. to which animal he does not
bear the slightest resemblance. His
hoof Is cloven. like the giraffes and
antelope's, and enables him to speed
over marshy ground without sinking
Now, the zebra would have a single
toe Tor a solid hoof), which is one of the
distinguishing characteristics of the
horse family. The mistake arose from
the fact that Stanley, in his Darkest
Africa" spoke of horses inhabiting the
forests of the Uganda districts, relying
on the statements Of the natives. Sir
Harry Johnston however, when in
Africa, determined to investigate the
matter Knowing 1t contrary to the
nature Of a horse to live In forests. he
was anxious to see just what this
creature might be, his interest being
furthermore excited by seeing orna-
nents and waist-aprons worn by the
natives made from this queer-looklng
skin. Upon inquiry, he found the
okapi to be a common animal In these
parts. They were said to go in pairs,
though probably they also roam in
herds. The meat affords excellent eat
ing to the tribes In this district, who
are principally little dwarfs who sub
sist for the most part on the animals
they hunt These dwarfs are warliIe
in disposition, rather shy, and exceed
ingly ayerse to having strangers visit
their country and as they are quite
powerful people when banded together,
they win probably prove great oh
stocle to orr becoming better acquaint-
ed with this new animal They catch
the okapl by digging holes in the
ground over which they loosely strew
leaves and branches. making pitfalls
into which the uuWary animal easiIy
strays. They gave the olsapi his name,
but in pronouneing it they leave out
the k and in its stead make a clicking
sound peculiar to their language.
We hope some living specimens of
the okapi win be brought to our coun-
try IN time. and that we may see them
in our ZOOS, and can form for ourselves
some opinion Of this new creature A.
II. Knight. In ST. Nicholas