steed no fewer than thirty-two giraffes of various sizes, industriously stretching their peacock necks to crop the tiny leaves that fluttered above their heads, in a flowering mimosa grove which beautified the scenery. My heart leapt within me, and my blood coursed like quicksilver through my veins, for, with a firm wooded plain before me, I knew they were mine; but, although they stood within a hundred yards of me, having previously determined to try the boarding system, I reserved my fire.

Notwithstanding that I had taken the field expressly to look for giraffes, and had taken four mounted Hottentots in my train, all except one, had, as usual, slipped off unperceived in pursuit of a troop of koodoos...Our stealthy approach was soon opposed by an ill-tempered rhinoceros, which, with her ugly oldfashioned calf, stood directly in the path, and the twinkling of her bright little eyes, accompanied by a restless rolling of the body, giving earnest of her mischievous intentions, I saluted her with a broadside, at the same time putting spurs to my horse... At the report of the gun, and sudden clattering of the hoofs, away bounded the herd in grotesque confusion, clearing the ground by a succession of frog-like leaps, and leaving me far in their rear. Twice were their towering forms_concealed from view by a park of trees, which we entered almost at the same instant, and twice, on emerging from the labyrinth, did I perceive them tilting over an eminence far in advance, their sloping backs reddening in the sunshine, as with giant port they topped the ridges in right gallant style... A white turban that I wore round my hunting-cap, being dragged off by a projecting bough, was instantly charged and trampled under foot by three rhinoceroses, and long afterwards, looking over my shoulder, I could perceive the ungainly brutes in the rear fagging themselves to overtake me... In the course of five minutes the fugitives arrived at a small river, the treacherous sands of which receiving their spider-legs, their flight was greatly retarded, and by the time they had floundered to the opposite side and scrambled to the top of the bank, I could perceive that their race was run. Patting the steaming neck of my good steed, I urged him again to his utmost, and instantly found myself by the side of the herd... The lordly chief being readily distinguishable from the rest by his dark chestnut robe and superior stature, I applied the muzzle of my rifle behind his dappled shoulder with my right hand, and drew both triggers; but he still continued to shuffle along, and being afraid of losing him, should I dismount, among the extensive mimosa groves with which the landscape was now ob

scured, I sat in my saddle, loading and firing behind the elbow, and then placing myself across his path to obstruct his progress. ... Mute, dignified, and majestic stood the unfortunate victim, occasionally stooping his elastic neck towards his persecutor, the tears trickling from the lashes of his dark humid eye, as broadside after broadside was poured into his brawny front. Presently a convulsive shivering seized his limbs, his coat stood on end, his lofty frame began to totter, and at the seventeenth discharge from the deadly grooved bore, like a falling minaret bowing his graceful head from the skies, his proud form was prostrate in the dust.

While I leisurely contemplated the massive form before me, seeming as though it had been cast in a mould of brass, and wrapped in a hide an inch and a half in thickness, it was no longer matter of astonishment that a bullet discharged from a distance of eighty or ninety yards should have been attended with little effect upon such amazing strength.

We all feasted merrily on the flesh, which, although highly scented with the rank mokaala blossoms, was far from despicable. Cumming.

THE OSTRICH.

THE ostrich is a native of Africa. It is gregarious; flocks of fifty may be seen on plains peacefully associating with zebras, quaggas, wildebeests, and several other plain frequenting antelopes. The females lay twelve to sixteen eggs each in a nest, which is only a hole scooped out in the ground about six feet wide. Not more than half the eggs are deposited in the nest; the others lie scattered around, and are never hatched.

The shells of the ostrich eggs are very strong, and are used by Bushmen and other natives of the desert as water vessels; the only vessels that some have. A full grown cock ostrich stands over nine feet in height, and weighs three hundred pounds. The legs of such a bird are immensely thick and muscular, and the thigh joint equals in size the largest leg of mutton... It is thought to be the swiftest runner in creation; but there are doubts about this; certain it is that it cannot be overtaken by a horse in a fair chase; but the bird makes "doubles" in running, and by observing these, the mounted hunter sometimes gets near it by making a cut upon it, and delivers his fire as it passes. To run an ostrich down, however, is considered an impossibility even by an Arab on his fleet steed. Its endurance is equal to its speed, as it can keep up the pace for hours together... The muscular strength of its great

long legs is well adapted for running fast and far; and while on the run its hoofs make a clatter like those of a trotting horse kicking violently large stones to the rear. When at full speed it spreads its white wing plumes, raising them over its back; but this is done only to balance it, as it cannot fly a single yard.

Its principal weapon of defence is the leg with its hoof-like foot. With this it can kick like a mule, and the blow will break a man's leg. But the chief security of the ostrich lies in its splendid powers of vision combined with the kind of place it chooses for abode. It is always on the naked plain, with nothing to interrupt the view; and the high position, combined with the keenness, of its eye, enables it to perceive an enemy long before the latter can get near enough to do it an injury. So sharp is its sight, that it can see even further than it can be seen, large as it is!... A most difficult matter it is to get within shooting distance of these wary birds. Sometimes a shot is obtained by lying in wait for them at springs. After drinking they do not run so well; and hunters, taking advantage of this, run them down after leaving the pool.

A Bushman, after securing an ostrich, will sometimes deprive it of its skin and feathery covering in a piece. Then armed with his bow and arrow, he enters it, and thus manages to approach the flock. If skilfully done, they are deceived, believing that the new comer is one of themselves. Silently the poisoned arrow shoots from the false ostrich. They are bewildered at the effects of the unseen enemy, and soon their dead bodies strew the plain. Mayne Reid.

THE LEMUR.

LEMURS are more quadruped-like in form than monkeys, and characterised by a slight form, an elongated conical head, a very thick fur, and a long but not prehensile tail. The hind legs are long, and the thumbs being well separated from the other fingers, they are tolerably perfect instruments of prehension.

So mild and inoffensive creatures are they, that in Madagascar they are often domesticated, and sometimes employed in the chase.

Mr. Ellis, the missionary, gives the following account of his acquaintanceship with one of the family.

The weather was fine, and the descent from the high central provinces so much easier than the ascent had been, that in the afternoon of the 1st of October, we halted at Alamayaotra. I et off immediately into the forest, in search of plants... Our

wants for the night, fuel and provisions, were liberally supplied by the officers at the station. By seven the following morning we resumed our journey, and soon entered the forest. The morning was bright, the atmosphere clear and bracing... My attention was soon attracted by a peculiar shouting or hallooing in the forest, apparently at no great distance from the road. It was not like any sound I had heard before, but resembled that of men or boys calling to each other more than anything else... At first I thought it was a number of people driving cattle out of the forest into the road. Still I heard no crashing amongst the underwood, and saw no signs of bullocks. Then I imagined it must be a number of bird-catchers or squirrel-catchers. But on inquiring of my companions, they said the noise proceeded from the black and white lemurs, of which there were great numbers in the forests.

I had repeatedly seen lemurs of more than one species in the market of Tamatave, and numbers among the people of the place. There were two or three of the large ruffed lemur in a house near my own dwelling, and they seemed to be quite domesticated... Though covered with thick, almost woolly, hair, they appeared to be ill at ease in wet or cold weather, but to luxuriate in the warm sunshine. I often noticed two or three of them together, on a fine morning after rain, raised up on their hind legs, on the outside of the house, leaning back against the wall of the house, with their fore legs spread out, evidently enjoying the warmth of the sun which was shining upon them... They are often kept tame by the natives for a long time, and numbers are sold to the masters of vessels and others visiting the port... We had one on board the ship in which I made my first voyage from Madagascar. It was a fine animal, and during the twenty-eight days of our passage, I had frequent opportunities of observing its disposition and habits. It was tied to a boat on the deck; and in a basket under the fore part of the boat it found a partial shelter from the rain and the wind... It conveyed its food, boiled rice and fruit, to its mouth by the hand, it was gentle and sociable, seemingly grateful for any trifling notice or kindness... I frequently gave it water, which it lapped like a dog, and occasionally a banana; and in a short time it seemed to watch my movements whenever I came on deck, jumping on my arm or shoulder if I approached; but it was most delighted when attaching a long line to the short piece tied round its body I loosened it from the boat and allowed it to run up the cords or rigging, which it ascended with astonishing ease and speed, sitting sometimes with apparent pleasure on the extremity of the yard... It was scrupulously

clean, and seemed unable to endure any tar or other dirt on its shaggy coat... One morning, during a heavy gale of wind when there was much motion in the ship, and great confusion and noise among the sailors, the lemur seemed unusually excited, and repeatedly raised itself up on its hind legs, and clapped its hands together, and chattered loud in a most extraordinary manner, occasioning great uneasiness among our crew of Malagasy sailors, who declared it was an omen of evil to the ship, and that some fearful calamity might be expected ... I had felt so much interest in the sociable and apparently gentle animal on board our ship, that I should have been glad to have seen some of its species in their own forest homes, but though numbers were evidently near, none of them came within sight. Ellis.

THE GORILLA.

IN 1847, Professor Owen received a letter from Dr. Savage, a church missionary at Gaboon, a richly-wooded tract in the western part of Africa, enclosing sketches of the cranium of an ape, which he described as much larger than the chimpanzee, ferocious in its habits, and dreaded by the negro natives more than they dread the lion or any other wild beast of the forest.

The gorilla is of the average height of man, five feet six inches; his brain case is low and narrow, and, as the fore part of the skull is high, and there is a very prominent ridge above the eyes, the top of the head is perfectly flat, and the brow, with its thick integument, forms a 66 scowling pent-house over the eyes."... Couple with this a deep lead-colored skin, much wrinkled, a prominent jaw with the canine teeth (in the males) of huge size, a receding chin, and we have an exaggeration of the lowest and most forbidding type of human physiognomy. The neck is short; the head projects. The relative proportion of the body and limbs are nearer those of man, yet they are of more ungainly aspect than in any other of the brute kind... Long, shapeless arms, thick and muscular, with scarce any diminution of size deserving the name of wrist (for at the smallest they are fourteen inches round, while a strong man's wrist is not above eight); a wide, thick hand: the palm long, and the fingers short, swollen and gouty-looking; capacious chest; broad shoulders; legs also thick and shapeless, destitute of calf, and very muscular, yet short; a hand-like foot with a thumb to it, of huge dimensions and portentous power of grasp"... No wonder the lion skulks before this monster, and even the elephant is baffled by his malicious cunning, activity,