THE DUGONG. 549 
The Ducone may easily be distinguished from the manatee by the formation of the 
tail, which in the latter animal is rounded, but in the former is forked. These animals 
are found on the eastern coast of Africa and on the shores of the Indian Ocean. 
In Ceylon the Dugong is exceedingly plentiful, and it also inhabits the northern 
coasts of Australia, where it is assiduously chased by the natives. The name of Sirenia, 
which is given to this group of animals, is chiefly owing to the peculiar form and habits 
of the Dugong, which has a curious custom of swimming with its head and neck above 
the surface of the water, so that it bears some grotesque resemblance to the human form, 
and might have given rise to the poetical tales of mermaids and sirens which have 
prevailed i in the literature of all ages and countries. When the female Dugong is nursing 
her child, she carries it in one arm, and takes care to keep the head of her offspring, as 
well as her own, above the surface of the water, and thus presents a strangely human 
aspect. If alarmed, she immediately dives below the waves, and flinging her fish-lke 
DUGONG.—Halicore Dugong. 
tail into the air, corresponds in no inadequate degree with the popular notions of 
mermaid form. 
The usual haunts of the Dugong are at the mouth of rivers or similar spots, where the 
subaqueous alge grow in greatest profusion, and it never seems to be found where water 
is more than three or four fathoms in depth. It is not so good a diver as the seals, not 
being furnished with the peculiar blood-reservoirs which enable those animals to survive 
beneath the water for so great a length of time; and it is therefore unable to seek its 
food except in shallow waters. Whole herds of these animals may be seen sporting near 
the shores, diving at intervals to procure food, and rising again in order to breathe. 
They are most affectionate creatures, and if one of a pair be captured, the other falls an 
easy prey to the pursuers, as it refuses to leave the fatal spot, and will rather suffer itself 
to be killed than forsake even the dead body of its late partner. 
There are several species of Dugong, which are all very similar in habits, although 
they vary in size. One species has been known to attain to the length of twenty-six feet. 
