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Josafa Barbaro ; Travels to Tana and Persia (1471).
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Taken from : Josafa barbaro and Ambrogio Contarini: Travels to Tana and Persia
(When he came to Thauris city of king Assambei and was received by the king)
Meanwhile there came in certain men sent from a prince of India, with certain strange beasts, the first one being an ounce (then a lion, elephants)
After this was brought forth a giraffa, which they call Girnaffa, a beast as long legged as a great horse, or rather more; but the hinder legs are half a foot shorter than the former, and is cloven footed as an ox, in manner of a violet color mingled all over with black spots, great and small according to their places, the belly white, somewhat with long hair, thin hair on the tail like of an ass, little horns like a goat, and a neck more then a pace long; the tongue a yard long, violet and round as an eel, with which he grasps and eats the leaves from the trees so swiftly that it is scarcely to be perceived. He is headed like a deer, but finer. Standing on the ground he will well reach 15 feet high. His breast is broader then a horse, but the rump narrower like of an ass; it seemed to be a very pretty beast, but not to be bearing any burden. After this were brought forth in three cages three pair of doves.........