157 
In this order the hind limbs are entirely wanting and the tail is 
expanded to a wide fin, like that of the whale. All its representatives 
which have come under the observation of man, appear to be slow, and 
unintelligent, if not actually stupid. They are herbivarous, living on 
marine algae, or on aquatic plants growing in the estuaries of rivers. They 
are without means of defense, unable to escape easily by superior speed 
in the water, and incapable of locomotion ashore. More than this, in 
their search for food, they are frequently left stranded by the outgoing 
tide, when they are entirely helpless ; while the flesh is always good for 
food, the fat produces an excellent oil and the skins are useful because 
of their thickness and strength. The inducements for their pursuit by 
man are thus very great. 
Both the Manatee proper and the Haiicore are provided with teeth, 
the now extinct Rhytina was toothless, the place of teeth being supplied 
by bony plates upon the jaws which served for the mastication of 
its soft food. 
The discovery of the sea-cow and its utilization for food by 
Behring's crew have already been referred to. The short story of its 
extermination must now be told. 
No sooner had the survivors of Behring's crew returned with 
specimens of rich furs, particularly that [of the sea-otter, than Siberian 
traders began to build small vessels to revisit the new islands which had 
been discovered. These were no well equipped expeditions, for means 
and materials of all sorts were scarce and very primitive on the shores 
of the Sea of Okotsk. The craft employed at first were small and ill- 
constructed. Coxe writes of them : " Most of the vessels which are 
equipped for these expeditions are two-masted ; and commonly built 
without iron, and in general so badly constructed, that it is wonderful 
how they can weather so stormy a sea. They are called in Russian 
Shitiki, or sewed vessels, because the planks are sewed together with 
thongs of leather." * 
In such crazy vessels the Russians by degrees extended their 
wanderings till the whole of the islands of the great Aleutian chain 
Account of the Russian Discoveries between Asia and America, \>. u. 
