GATHERING THE SUBMARINE MANATEE HAY 



The principal food of the manatee in Florida is a remarkable grass which deserves 

 attention from agriculturists. It is remarkably rich in nitrogen and contains over 2% 

 of iron. Its long, soft stems nearly fill many of the creeks along the coast, and it can 

 be harvested with a strong rake. Photograph by David Fairchild. (Fig. 4.) 



feet in length — about the size of a cow, 

 and was so easily caught that with the 

 increase of the white population it was 

 threatened with extinction. In fact, 

 it has practically, like the buffalo, 

 become extinct, although a protected 

 herd still exists in the Miami River. 

 With suitable protection this herd would 

 again increase and might be made an 

 important food supply for Florida and 

 the world. 



"There is no reason to doubt that 

 herds could be easily kept in confine- 

 ment in the lagoons of Florida, as private 

 property." 



An old writer paints this vivid picture 

 of its nature : 



"Their manners and dispositions are 

 stated by voyagers to be inoffensive, 

 mild and even amiable. Buffon states 



that .they are both intelligent and 

 sociable, not naturally afraid of man, 

 but rather free to approach him and to 

 follow him with confidence and prompti- 

 tude. But they have especially a 

 kindly feeling for their fellows. They 

 usually associate in troops and crowd 

 together with the young in the center, 

 as if to preserve them from all harm; 

 and when danger besets them each is 

 willing to bear his share in mutual 

 defense or attack. 



"When one has been struck with the 

 harpoon it has been noticed that the 

 others will attempt to tear the dreadful 

 weapon from the wounded flesh. 



"When the cubs are captured, the 

 mother becomes careless of her own 

 preservation; and, should the mother be 

 the victim, the young follow her fondly 



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