278 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



It is probable that this is the species mentioned 

 by Captain Henderson in his account of the Bri- 

 tish settlement of Honduras, (1809.*) 



Fossil Manatus. 



The ribs and vertebrae of a gigantic species oi 

 Fossil Manatus have been discovered on the west- 

 ern shore of Maryland ; the vertical diameter ot 

 an atlas vertebra being nine inches; transverse 

 diameter of the same, eleven inches. (Vid. Jour. 

 Phil. Acad. Nat. Sciences, vol. iv. p. 32. Notice of 

 the Plesiosaurus and other fossil reliquiae, &c. by 

 R. Harlan, M. D.) 



Genus. 

 Rytina, Illig. 

 Trichecus, Gmel. 

 Manatus, Steller. 

 Stellerus, Cuv\ Desm. 



* " The male and female of this species of animal are usually 

 found together, and whilst sporting on the surface of the differ- 

 ent lagoons, are frequently destroyed by the harpoon or dart, in 

 the use of which the slaves of the settlement, and the Indians 

 of the neighbouring Mosquito nation, are wonderfully dexterous. 

 The flesh of this animal is particularly admired, and thought to 

 resemble very closely that of veal ; the tail, which forms the 

 most valuable part of the Manati, after laying some days in a 

 pickle prepared for it with spices, &:c. and eaten cold, is a dis- 

 covery of which Apicius might have been proud, and which the 

 discriminating palate of Elagabalus would have thought justh 

 entitled to the most distinguished reward." — Henderson'' s accouvj 

 of Honduras, p. 106. 



