199 



black pad. There were no incisors, but seven grinders were 

 visible in each side above and below, and two others behind these 

 were concealed in the alveoli, making in all 36 teeth. The 

 crowns were divided into two parts, and each of these was un- 

 equally subdivided into two others, the larger and inner having 

 three small points or serrations. The space between the molars 

 of the two sides was only l^ inch, which was filled by a tongue 

 resembling somewhat that of a parrot. 



The eye measured ^ inch from angle to angle, and when clos- 

 ed its position could not readily be detected. The nostrils were 

 situated about three inches from the edge of the upper lip, one 

 and a quarter inches apart, of a somewhat triangular form and of 

 a size sufficient to admit a man's finger. No external ear or 

 meatus was detected. 



The tail was flattened and fan-like, and in length nearly one- 

 fourth that of the whole body. The skin was of a light lead 

 color, fully one inch in thickness, exceedingly tough, and the 

 cuticle and rete mucosum easily separating. The whole body 

 was sparsely covered with short white hairs about one and a half 

 inches apart. Between the skin and the muscles was a layer of 

 cellular membrane filled with a white fat or oil, and which on the 

 belly was three inches thick. 



The mamma) were situated just beneath the posterior edge of 

 the paddle or " flipper." The anus was two feet ten inches 

 from the extremity of the tail, and five and a half inches behind 

 the vulva. The stomach and intestines were filled with a vege- 

 table substance resembling grass or the bark of young twigs, in 

 the various stages of digestion. 



The lungs were not distinctly lobed, and no septum like the 

 diaphragm noticed, dividing the cavity of the thorax from that of 

 the peritoneum.* 



Dr. Perkins's communication was accompanied with 

 drawings, and specimens of hair and cuticle. 



* The animal above described by Dr. Perkins, differs from any of the species 

 of Manatee liiiherto noticed, in the number of the teeth, which are thirty-six, 

 (Cuvier enumerating only thirty-two in the adult,) and in the absence of nails on 

 the anterior extremities. If the observation with regard to the deficiency of the 

 diaphragm is correct, it would indicate the existence of a peculiarity hitherto un- 

 noticed in the class of mammals. As shown by Ur. Perkins's drawings, the nose 

 is much sharper and longer than in the described species. It may be named Ma- 

 natua nasiUua. J. W. 



