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fested also some alarm and inquietude. Its conductors were considerably embarrassed, not knowing how to induce it to continue its course. Just at that time an inhabitant of the town, who had until then preceded it on horseback, returned to them, and proposed to try if it would follow him; and in fact the giraffe, as soon as it saw the horse of which it had suddenly lost sight as the latter passed through the gate, became again tranquil, and marched behind it, following it closely with the Arabs, who held it with four reins: the horse, however, became uneasy, and its rider could scarce hold it in, as the giraffe from time to time stretched forward its neck and applied its nose to the horse's crupper. In this course the giraffe had to pass through many of the public promenades, and always strove to reach the branches of the trees near which it passed; without, however, losing sight of the horse it had chosen for its guide, which it followed faithfully to the stable destined for its temporary abode. M.Salze,* who relates the above anecdote, makes the following observations on the same giraffe." She has great pleasure in being let out of her stable, and when she is permitted to walk in the gardens of the Prefecture in fine weather, which often occurs, she bounds like a young horse, but in a manner quite peculiar and indescribable, raising herself pretty high from the ground, and falling stiff and immoveable upon her legs. Sometimes she will start forward in a gallop, and then she drags along the four Arabs who keep hold of her; and we have seen her, in a moment of gaiety, drag even five strong men. It is with difficulty she brings her mouth on a level with the ground; in doing so she separates widely her forelegs, draws in her crupper, sticks her shoulders as it were out of their place, and elongates her neck in a stiff and truly ludicrous manner in this position one may readily perceive she could take up a branch from the ground, but one cannot conceive that she could drink. When in this position, she seems dislocated or crippled. It appears that she cannot bend her neck easily downwards towards her fore-feet; but we have seen her often carry her mouth to the crupper and all along the thighs; the neck then bends easily into a complete circle. If the giraffe cannot reach the ground without difficulty, she possesses on the other hand an extreme facility in reaching the leaves that are far above her; stretching out her neck, raising her head, and elongating her tongue to seize the branches that are two or three feet beyond her stature. Thus she can browse, without changing her situation, on the branches of trees for a considerable extent. This animal is

* Annales du Muséum.

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of a sweet disposition, never manifesting the least sentiment of anger or of malice. She distinguishes the Arab who is in the habit of giving her milk and grain, but has not any particular affection for him. She lets every one approach her who comes to see her, but does not like to be touched; and it is only when afraid of something, or when teased too much, that she defends herself by striking out her fore- or hind-legs.

"She often licks the hands and clothes of the Arab who has the care of her. Sometimes she will use the same familiarity. with strangers, and frequently she smells at the persons who approach her. She seems fearful, attentive to every noise, but at the same time is not disquieted by any number of persons who may come to see her. When horses have been brought to her, she appears to view them with pleasure, to regard them attentively, to follow them with her eyes as they recede from her, and to seem to have a wish to go after them: but the horses are uneasy at the sight of her; they stamp with their feet, and bound off the moment the rein is slackened. Cows which have seen her for the first time, show no sign of fear.

"Our young giraffe likes the broad daylight, and its stable is lighted with two windows and a large glass door. It is under the same roof with the two cows that supply it with milk, and two antelopes of large size, and is separated from two strong horses only by a boarded partition. It is fat and in good condition. Since its departure from the Lazaretto it has acquired more gaiety and vigour. It has never been heard to utter any sound.

"One may say that the giraffe has nothing elegant or graceful in the detail of its forms; its short body, its high and closely approximated legs, the excessive length of its neck, the declivity of its back, its ill-rounded crupper, and its long and naked tail,-all these things contrast together in a manner which offends the sight: it seems ill put together, ill balanced on its feet; and yet we are seized with astonishment at its aspect, and acknowledge it beautiful without being able to say why, only, perhaps, because it is extraordinary, and in opposition with all the animals we are acquainted with. It is very remarkable that, after having considered it attentively, we nevertheless can preserve but an uncertain recollection of its carriage and proportions, which is the reason, I think, that one loves, in general, to see it often; and every time we see it, it gives rise to some new remarks.”

The cloven-footed quadrupeds which chew the cud, form a distinct and well-marked group. The sacred historian and lawgiver of the Jews indicates them by their most natural

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THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

characters. They were also defined in almost similar terms by Aristotle, who may be called the father of Natural History. In the system of Linnæus they are termed 'Pecora,' and form the fifth of his great divisions of the Mammalia, or animals that give suck. In the arrangement of Cuvier they are termed 'Ruminantia,' and constitute his seventh order.

The zoologist divides the ruminating order into three subordinate groups: two of these subdivisions or tribes, founded on the nature of their horns, have been already pointed out; the third embraces the camels and llamas, which are altogether destitute of horns, and defend themselves with their teeth. In zoological strictness we might consider the giraffe as the pattern of a distinct tribe; but from the before-mentioned analogy of his horns to those of the deer, &c. he is ranked in the solid-horned tribe, and with Linnæus formed a species of the Stag (Cervus Camelopardalis). In the modern arrangements the giraffe forms a distinct genus. It has been supposed, that the giraffe which is found in Abyssinia is specifically distinct from the one inhabiting the southern extremity of Africa: a third species or variety without spots, is also supposed to have been seen by Mungo Park in Central Africa.

THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

So many descriptions of the Zoological Gardens have already been given to the public, that we shall not at present attempt to enter upon this subject; more particularly as we take for granted that most of our readers have had an opportunity of visiting the interesting and valuable collections preserved there. We intend however, occasionally, to notice the proceedings of both institutions, and to report such matter as we think will be interesting.

Amongst the latest additions at the gardens in the Regent's Park, are three rare species of Antelope; two from the Deserts of Northern Africa, called the M'horr Antelope (Antilope Dama), and the Cervine Antelope (Ant. Bubalis), and a female specimen of a fine species from India, called the Sing-sing Antelope.-There is also a rare species of Bear from South America, the Ursus ornatus, or Spectacled Bear, so called from the peculiar broad light-coloured band round each eye. Of this species we think we have seen a fine specimen in Wombwell's collection.-Two living Beavers presented by the Hudson's Bay Company supply the place of those which

ATTACK BY A TIGER.

15 died last winter.-A fine male American Elk has also recently arrived.

Such of the animals as require a greater degree of attention during the winter have been removed to a house in Wellington Street, Somers Town, which has been taken as a temporary repository; but notwithstanding the care bestowed upon them, we are sorry to hear of some losses by death since the commencement of the winter.

The animals that are accustomed to cold climates seem invigorated by the change in the weather. The bears now show themselves to great advantage, and our fair readers we have no doubt will notice the improved appearance of the fur of these and the other animals of this species at the present

season.

Additional land has been obtained adjoining the gardens. If the accounts which have been circulated as to the terms on which Government made the grant be correct, every friend to science must regret that there should be so little disposition on the part of those connected with this department of the revenue (the Crown lands) to assist in forwarding the objects of the institution.

We are glad to find that the spirited proprietor of the Surrey Gardens is continuing to make great improvements, and is daily adding to the attractions of the place.

ATTACK BY A TIGER.

BISHOP HEBER relates the following affecting account of an attack by a tiger, which was told him by Major Hamilton: "One of his acquaintance who was marching with a body of troops between Gulliakote and Luneewarra, called on a Bheel villager to be his guide through the wood very early one morning. The Bheel remonstrated, observing that it was not the custom of the country to march before day-light, and that it was dangerous to do so. The officer, supposing this to be the mere pretext for laziness, was positive, and threatened him if he did not go on. The man said nothing more, but took his shield and sword, and walked on along the narrow path overhung with long grass and bamboos. The officer followed at the head of his men, and had moved slowly fast asleep on his saddle for about five miles, when he heard a hideous roar, and saw a very large tiger spring past him so close that he almost brushed his horse. The poor Bheel lifted up his sword and shield, but was down in an instant under the

16

IMPORTATION OF FURS.-SAGACITY OF THE DOG.

animal's paws, who turned round with him in his mouth, growling like a cat over a mouse, and looked the officer in the face. He did what could be done, and with his men attacked the tiger, whom they wounded so severely that he dropped his prey. But the first blow had done its work effectually, and the poor man's skull was mashed in such a manner as literally to be all in pieces.-The officer told Major Hamilton that from that day forwards this scene was seldom absent from his dreams, and with the least illness or fever he had always a return of the vision of the tiger, with the unfortunate man in his jaws, whom his imprudence had sacrificed."

IMPORTATION OF FURS.

OUR fair readers are perhaps not aware of the extent to which they furnish employment to the hunters in North America by their demand for furs. It has been stated that the Hudson Bay Company alone in one year imported 3000 skins of the black bear, 60,000 of the pine marten, 1800 of the fisher (a species of sable), 4600 of the mink, 7300 of the otter, 8000 of the fox, 9000 of the Canadian lynx, 60,000 of the beaver, 150,000 of the musk rat; besides a great many skins of wolves, badgers, and racoons.

SAGACITY OF THE DOG.

MANY years ago, a waterman near Hammersmith was sleeping in his boat, when the vessel broke from her moorings and was carried by the tide under a barge. A dog which was on board awoke the waterman by pawing his face and pulling the collar of his coat at the instant the boat was filling with water, -and thus saved his life.

Le Vaillant, in the course of his travels in Africa, having missed a favourite little dog, directed one of his servants to mount a horse and return in search of the lost pet. After an absence of some hours, the man returned with the dog, bringing with him a basket and a chair that had been dropped from one of the waggons without being noticed. The dog was found at the distance of several miles, lying on the road watching the lost basket and chair; and if he had not been found by the servant, must inevitably either have perished with hunger or been devoured by wild beasts.

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