THE GIRAFFE. 121

is of moderate length, tapering towards the end, and ter-
minating in a tuft of long hair; the horns differ much in
form and texture from those of other animals, consisting of
a porous bony substance; they are about three inches long,
and are placed just above the ears, a protuberance also rises
on the middle of the forehead, between the eyes ; the neck
has a short stiff mane. The colour of the giraffe is a light
fawn, with numerous large dark spots, less regularly placed
on the sides, than on the neck and shoulders.

The giraffe is destined to feed on the foliage and young
shoots of trees, at a far greater height than any other ani-
mal can reach; and for this purpose it is provided, in ad-
dition to its long neck, with an elongated prehensile tongue,
with which it lays hold of young and tender branches, and
draws them into its mouth; when bending its head to the
ground, which is rarely done except for the purpose of
drinking, the giraffe is obliged to stretch its fore legs widely
apart, and then bend its neck in a semicircular form. When
attacked, the giraffe defends itself by striking powerfully
with its feet, and even the lion is often successfully re-
pulsed ; the horns too, short as they are, form by no means
insignificant weapons: the female at the Zoological Gardens
once, in sport, drove her horns through an inch board.