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XXIII. Observations to determine the Dentition of the Dugong ; 

 to which are added Observations illustrating the Anatomical 

 Structure and Natural History of certain of the Cetacea. 

 By ROBERT KNOX, F. R. S. Ed. and Lecturer on Ana- 

 tomy. 



(Read 18th January 1830.) 



JL HE following observations as to the dentition of the Dugong 

 were made rather more than two years ago, and the inquiry as 

 to the succession and character of the teeth in this interesting 

 animal, and as to the exact composition of its skeleton, was then 

 fully gone into, and all the facts to be now stated proved satis- 

 factorily to myself at least. Notices of these opinions and facts 

 more or less perfect, have been in several ways submitted to the 

 public, both in this country and on the continent ; but, as the 

 whole matter was in some measure controversial, tending to call 

 in question the accuracy of a theory as to the dentition of the 

 dugong, promulgated and supported by an anatomist of the 

 highest reputation *, I hesitated whether or not the matter to 

 be discussed merited being brought before this Society. Recol- 

 lecting, however, that the opinions and statements opposed to 

 my own views, had found their way into the pages of a work f , 

 of such importance and authority in itself, as to impress readily 



* Sir EVEBAED HOME, Bart. f The Philosophical Transactions. 



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