Sonw Accozint of Ike Dugofig. 345 



or northerlv monsoon, when the sea is calmest, near the mouth 

 of the Johore river, in the inlet of the sea between Singapore 

 Island and the main. They are usually taken by spearing (at 

 which the natives are particularly dexterous) during the night, 

 when tiie animals give warning of their approach by the snuffling 

 noise they make at the surface of the water. The first object is 

 to secure and elevate the tail, when the animal becomes perfectly 

 powerless, and at their disposal. They are seldom caught above 

 eight or nine feet in length ; but how much larger they grow is 

 not ascertained, as, when they exceed this size, their superior 

 strength enables them to make their escape when attacked. 



The Ikan dugong is considered by the Malays as a royal fish, 

 and the king is entitled to all that are taken. The flesh is highly 

 prized, and considered by them far superior to that of the buffalo 

 or cow. They distinsjuish two varieties, the duyong humlan^ 

 and the duyong bunted ; the latter much thicker and shorter in 

 proportion. The breasts of the adult females are said to be large. 

 The affection of the mother for its young is strongly marked ; 

 and the Malavs make frequent allusion to this animal, as an ex- 

 ample of maternal affection. When they succeed in taking a 

 young one, they feel themselves certain of the mother, who fol- 

 lows it to the margin of the sea, and allows herself to be speared 

 ^or taken with the greatest ease. The young have a short sharp 

 cry, which they fre(iuently repeat ; and it is said they shed tears. 

 These tears are carefully preserved by the common people as a 

 charm, the possession of which is supposed to secure the affections 

 of those to whom they are attached, in the same maimer as they 

 attract the mother to her young. This idea is at least as poetic, 

 and certainly more natural than the fable of the Syren's song. 

 I remain, mv dear Sir, yours truly, 



Thomas Stamford Raffles. 



Dimensions. 

 Total length of the animal 

 Greatest circumference 

 Length of the head from the nostrils to the occiput 



■ from the nostrils to the end of the snout 



Width of the snout . . , . . , 



Depth of do. 



Length of the chin . . .. ,. 



Breadth of do. . . . . . . , . 



Distance from the nostrils to the eyes . . 



• the eyes to the cars 



—the eyes to the fin . , 



Length of the fins . . . . , , . . 



Breadth of do. . . . . . , . , 



Vol. 57. No. 277. May 1S21. X x Breadth 



