THE MERMAID. 45 



for a mermaid, however, " distance " must " lend enchant- 

 ment to the view," and a sailor must be ver\- impressible 

 and imaginative who, even after ha\*ing been deprived for 

 many months of the pleasure of females' society-, could be 

 allured bv the charms of a bristlv-muzzled dugong, or 



FIG. 17. — THE MANATEE. ITS USUAL POSITION. 



mistake the snorting of a wallomng manatee for the love- 

 song of a beauteous sea-maiden. 



Unfortunately both the dugong and the manatee are 

 being hunted to extinction. 



The flesh of the manatee is considered a great delicacy. 



