By Le Valliant and other sportsmen most graphic accounts have been given of the hunting of the Giraffe. Quoting from Captain Harris, we learn that “the rapidity with which the awkwardly-formed animals can move is beyond all things surprising, our best Horses being unable to close with them under two miles. Their gallop is a succession of jumping strides, the fore and hind leg on the same side moving together instead of diagonally, as in most other quadrupeds; the former being kept close together, and the latter so wide apart, that in riding by the animal’s side the hoof may be seen striking on the outside of the Horse, threatening momentarily to overthrow him. Their motion, altogether, reminded me rather of the pitching of a ship or rolling of a rocking-horse, than of anything living; and the remarkable gait is rendered still more automaton-like by the switching, at regular intervals, of the long black tail, which is invariably curled above the back, and by the corresponding action of the neck, swinging as it does like a pendulum, and literally imparting to the animal the appearance of a piece of machinery in motion. Naturally gentle, timid, and peaceable, the unfortunate Giraffe has no means of protecting itself but with its heels; but even when hemmed into a corner, it seldom resorts to this mode of defence.” [Illustration: SKELETON OF THE GIRAFFE.] [Illustration: GIRAFFES.] CHAPTER IV. THE CERVIDÆ, OR ANTLERED RUMINANTS: THE ELK, ELAPHINE, SUB-ELAPHINE, AND RUSINE DEER. The Deer Tribe--Distinguishing Characters--Exceptions to the rule--The Musk (Deer) and Chinese Water Deer--Other Characters of the Cervidæ--Antlers, their Nature, Growth, and Shedding--The Knob--“Velvet”--Getting rid of the “Velvet”--Full equipment--Contests--Interlocking Antlers--Distribution--Classification--Development of Antlers in the Common RED DEER--Explanation of the various stages--Splendid “Heads”--Simple and Complex Antlers--Types of Antlers--THE ELK, OR MOOSE DEER--Appearance--Antlers--Habits--Hunting--THE ELAPHINE DEER--THE RED DEER--Distribution--Appearance--Hunting--THE WAPITI--Acting of the Fawns--THE PERSIAN DEER, OR MARAL--THE CASHMERIAN DEER, OR BARASINGHA--Habits and General Appearance--BARBARY DEER--SUB-ELAPHINE DEER--THE JAPANESE, FORMOSAN, AND MANTCHURIAN DEER--THE FALLOW DEER--Peculiarity of its Antlers--THE PERSIAN FALLOW DEER--THE RUSINE DEER--THE SAMBUR, OR GEROW--Habits--Species of Java, Formosa, Sumatra, Borneo, Timor, Ternate, and the Philippines--THE HOG DEER--THE AXIS DEER--PRINCE ALFRED’S DEER--THE SWAMP DEER--SCHOMBURGK’S DEER--ELD’S DEER, OR THE THAMYN--Description--Habits--Hunting--Shameful havoc.