Syriac name of this animal being almost precisely the Hebrew word there used. The Hebrew word literally signifies "to creep into," and the Syriac, "to creep underneath," "to creep into by burrowing"-well-known characteristics of the mole.

The other passage in which this animal is mentioned (Isaiah ii. 20), is equally objectionable. The author of "Scripture Illustrated" observes, that "the general scope of the passage is a threatening against pride, and a denunciation of vengeance against idols and idol-worshippers," and conjectures that "it describes the action of a public personage, a chief for whom idols had been provided in a magnificent temple, as so terrified as to flee to caves and dens for shelter, and that these valuable idols should be taken from their shrines, and thrown into places as dark, dismal, and abominable, as their former residence had been brilliant and venerable." He therefore understands the word to mean, not an animal, but a place-a deep sink, or subterranean vault-deep cavities, dug by human power. Another critic thinks the word means sepulchres, which in Palestine were frequently cells or vaults, hewn or dug in the rocks,

and consequently very proper receptacles for bats and moles.

The mole of Scripture is probably the blindmole, a species found in many parts of the south of Europe, in which the eye-lids are completely closed, the eyes being imperceptible until the skin is removed.

THE GIRAFFE ("CHAMOIS").

THE Hebrew word which has been translated "chamois" (Deut. xiv. 5.) is derived from a root signifying "to crop branches, to browse." It has, therefore, been conjectured with great probability, that the giraffe is the animal spoken of; but as many commentators have either overlooked the claims of this animal, or denied that any knowledge of it existed among the Israelites, it will be necessary, before entering into details of its natural history, to examine how far this opinion is correct.

That the animal was known to the ancient Egyptians is evident from the fact, that it appears upon their sculptures. During their stay in Egypt, therefore, the Israelites had probably many oppor

tunities of becoming acquainted with it. That it was formerly an inhabitant of the northern parts of Africa is also probable, for the Romans were accustomed to obtain their wild animals for exhibition from that part of the country; and we find the giraffe mentioned among the animals exhibited by Cæsar at the Circensian games. It also appears upon the Prænestine pavement, where it is represented cropping the branches overhead as well as grazing upon the humbler vegetation on the ground. That the chamois cannot be the animal referred to by the Jewish lawgiver is evident, from its not being found so far south as Egypt or Palestine.

The giraffe, or camelopard, is found in Africa only. It seems to be most abundant in the parts south of the great desert. It is also occasionally found in the north; but from the extreme timidity of its disposition, it haunts the most unexplored parts of the country, and its numbers decrease rapidly wherever "civilization has begun to plant her footsteps."

The giraffe, when full grown, measures from fifteen to eighteen, or even twenty, feet from the