to overtake it.

Notwithstanding that its food consists principally of the leaves and
twigs of trees, the giraffe will also eat grass. While browsing thus,
it usually bends one of its knees downward; and while stretching upwards
to a high branch, it brings all its feet nearer to each other. It often
lies down to "chew its cud" or to sleep; and this habit produces the
callosities upon the sternum and knees, which resemble those of the
camels.

The giraffe is a peaceful and timid animal, and is often the prey of the
lion--the fierce beast of prey taking it unawares, springing upon its
back, and destroying it by breaking the cervical vertebrae with his
powerful teeth. Sometimes, however, it is enabled to drive the lion off
by kicking out against him with its heels, and tiring or discouraging
him from the attack.

The Hottentots and Kaffirs hunt the giraffe for the sake of its flesh,
which in young individuals is very good eating. Sometimes, however, it
smells strongly of a species of shrub upon which the animal feeds, and
which gives it a disagreeable odour. The Bushmen are particularly fond
of the marrow produced in its long shank bones, and to obtain this, they
hunt the animal with their poisoned arrows. They also make out of its
skin bottles and other vessels for containing water.

Conspicuous as is the giraffe, it is not so easy to distinguish it in
the haunts where it inhabits. Seen from a distance, it has the
appearance of a decayed tree, and, remaining motionless, it is often
passed by the hunter or traveller without being observed. It is itself
very keen-sighted; and the manner in which its large beautiful eye is
set gives it a decided advantage for seeing around it, even without the
necessity of turning its head. On this account it is approached with
great difficulty, and usually contrives to escape from the most ardent
pursuer.

The _Camels_ come next in turn. Of these there exist two distinct
species--the Camel, or Bactrian camel; and the Dromedary, or Arabian
camel. Both are found only in a domesticated state. Both are "beasts
of burthen," and of both there are several varieties.

First, then, of the Bactrian camel--that is, the species with two humps.

This animal differs very much from the Arabian camel, and is altogether
more rare. It is about ten feet in length of body, and covered
generally with a thick shaggy coat of hair of a dark brown colour; but
there is no difficulty in distingui