204 MAMMALIA. 



which soon disappear. Vestiges of nails are discoverable on the 

 edges of their fins, which they employ with tolerable dexterity in 

 carrying their young, and in creeping; hence the comparison of 

 these organs with hands, and the name of Manatus applied to the 

 animal, of which Lamantin is a corruption. From their manner of 

 living, they are also called Sea Cows, Sec, and from their mammse. 

 Mermaids, Sec. Trichechus manatus, Lin.; Buff. XIII, Ivii. 



They are found near the mouths of rivers in the hottest parts 

 of the Atlantic Ocean, and it appears that those of the American 

 rivers are specifically different from those of Africa.(l) They 

 grow to the length of fifteen feet. Their flesh is used as food. 



Halicore, Illig.(2) DuGONG, Lacep. 



Grinders composed of two cones laterally united; the teeth implanted 

 in the incisive bone are permanent, and increase to such an extent 

 as to become true pointed tusks, but covered by thick fleshy lips, 

 bristled with mustachios. The body is elongated, and the tail 

 terminated by a crescent-shaped fin. One species only is known, the 

 Hal. dugong; Siren; Sea Cow, Sec; Renard, Poiss. des Indes, 



pi. xxxiv, f. 180; Home, Phil. Trans, and F. Cuv. Mammif. 



(The Dugong.) It inhabits the Indian Ocean, and is frequently 



confounded by travellers with the Manatus. 



StelleruSj Cuv. Rytina, Illig.(3) 



The Stelleri appear to have but a single compound grinder on each 

 side, with a flat crown, and bristled with plates of enamel. Their 

 fins have not even the little nails observed on those of the Manatus. 

 According to Steller, the first, and hitherto the only one who has de- 

 scribed them, their stomach also is much more simple. 



One species only is known, Avhich is confined to the north 

 part of the Pacific Ocean. (4) 



FAMILY II. 

 CETACEA ORDINARIA. 



The Ordinary Cetacea are distinguished from the preceding 

 by the singular apparatus from which they have received the 



(1) See Oss. Foss. torn. I. 



(2) Halicore, Maid of the Sea. 



(3) Ryiina, wrinkled. 



(4) Nov. Comm. Petrop. IT, 394, ct seq. U lias never been figured. 



