49 



(male and female), taken March 1874 at Rockingham Bay, 

 were, when dead, of a uniform dull flesh-colour, and 

 measured respectively 8 and 10 feet ; but as a rule the male 

 is the larger. 



In its habits, actions, and movements in the water the 

 Dugong closely resembles the Manatus. Some few years 

 ago dugong-fishing was carried on with much energy in 

 Moreton Bay, Wide Bay, and also in the vicinity of Rock- 

 hampton, &c., where these grotesque mammals were then 

 abundant. Of late years, however, they have become so 

 scarce that the fisheries have been abandoned, and the 

 species thus saved for a time from being exterminated. 



Dr. Hobbs, of Brisbane, who has studied the Dugong 

 from a commercial point of view more closely than any one 

 else in the colonies, was the first to bring the nutritive and 

 medicinal qualities of the oil prominently before the public ; 

 his numerous Papers and valuable pamphlets published on 

 the subject at various times, extending over a period of 

 many years, testify to the large amount of labour, skill, and 

 ability expended thereon. 



