This animal, the tallest of quadrupeds, is found in the interior of
Africa. Its height is about seventeen feet. It is of a fawn color,
marked with dark spots. Its neck is slender, its head gracefully
formed, and its eyes soft, yet animated. It associates in small troops,
and feeds upon the twigs and leaves of trees.
_Miscellaneous Anecdotes._--Some years ago, a giraffe was sent from
Egypt to Constantinople. Its keeper used to exercise it in an open
square, where the Turks used to flock daily, in great crowds, to see
the extraordinary animal. Seeing how inoffensive it was, and how
domesticated it became, the keeper used to take it with him through the
city, and, whenever he appeared, a number of friendly hands were held
out of the latticed windows to offer it something to eat. The women
were particularly attentive to it. When it came to a house where it had
been well treated, if no one was at the window, it would tap gently
against the wooden lattice, as if to announce its visit. It was
extremely docile and affectionate; and, if left to itself it always
frequented the streets where it had the most and best friends.
The giraffe has become familiar to us, in the menageries, of late
years; but half a century ago, its very existence was doubted. Le
Vaillant was the first to dissipate the mystery which enveloped it. His
account of his success in killing one, is given in the following
glowing terms: "The 18th of November was the happiest day of my life.
By sunrise I was in pursuit of game, in the hope to obtain some
provision for my men. After several hours' fatigue, we descried, at the
turn of a hill, seven giraffes, which my pack instantly pursued. Six of
them went off together; but the seventh, cut off by my dogs, took
another way. Bernfry was walking by the side of his horse; but in the
twinkling of an eye, he was in the saddle, and pursued the six. For
myself, I followed the single one at full speed; but, in spite of the
efforts of my horse, she got so much ahead of me, that, in turning a
little hill, I lost sight of her altogether; and I gave up the pursuit.
My dogs, however, were not so easily exhausted. They were soon so close
upon her, that she was obliged to stop, to defend herself. From the
place where I was, I heard them give tongue with all their might; and,
as their voices appeared all to come from the same spot, I conjectured
that they had got the animal in a corner; and I again pushed forward. I
had scarcely got round the hill, when I perceived her surrounded by the
dogs, and endeavoring to drive them away by heavy kicks. In a moment I
was on my feet, and a shot from my carbine brought her to the earth.
Enchanted with my victory, I returned to call my people about me, that
they might assist in skinning and cutting up the animal. Whilst I was
looking for them, I saw one of my men, who kept making signals which I
could not comprehend. At length, I went the way he pointed; and, to my
surprise, saw a giraffe standing under a large ebony-tree, assailed by
my dogs. It was the animal I had shot, who had staggered to this place;
and it fell dead at the moment I was about to take a second shot. Who
could have believed that a conquest like this would have excited me to
a transport almost approaching to madness! Pains, fatigues, cruel
privation, uncertainty as to the future, disgust sometimes as to the
past,--all these recollections and feelings fled at the sight of this
new prey. I could not satisfy my desire to contemplate it. I measured
its enormous height. I looked from the animal to the instrument which
had destroyed it. I called and recalled my people about me. Although we
had combated together the largest and most dangerous animals, it was I
alone who had killed the giraffe. I was now able to add to the riches
of natural history. I was now able to destroy the romance which
attached to this animal, and to establish a truth. My people
congratulated me on my triumph. Bernfry alone was absent; but he came
at last, walking at a slow pace, and holding his horse by the bridle.
He had fallen from his seat, and injured his shoulder. I heard not what
he said to me. I saw not that he wanted assistance; I spoke to him only
of my victory. He showed me his shoulder; I showed him my giraffe. I
was intoxicated, and I should not have thought even of my own wounds."