132 



SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



the nasal orifice higher up than in the manatee : the 

 lower jaw is thicker, shorter, deeper, and its symphysis 

 fits the deflected portion of the intermaxillary bones. 

 In the young dugong the molars are five on each side, 

 above and below ; but the three anterior are deciduous, 

 the two last being permanent (see dentition, Fig. 87). 

 To those who wish to investigate the anatomy of this 

 animal we recommend a paper by Professor Owen, in 

 the ' Zool. Proceeds.' for 1838, p. 28. 



The Dugong 



{Halicore Dugong^ F. Cuv. ; Halicore Indicus, 

 Desmarest). 



This species is a native of the Indian seas, being com- 

 mon among the islands of the Indian Archipelago, and 

 visiting also the coasts of New Holland. (Fig. 88.) 

 Its favourite haunts are the mouths of rivers and straits 

 between proximate islands, where the depth of water is 

 but trifling (three or four fathoms), and where, at the 

 bottom, grows a luxuriant pasturage of submarine algas 

 and fuci : here in calm weather may small troops be 



£8.— Dugong, 



