THE DUGONG 



1161 



color, the dugong is either uniformly bluish gray, or the under parts may have a 

 more or less distinct whitish tinge. The normal length attained by these animals 

 varies from five to seven feet, but they occasionally measure from eight to nine feet. 

 In a specimen of eight and one-half feet in length, the maximum girth was six feet. 

 Dugongs are found on the shores of the Indian Ocean, for about 

 fifteen degrees on each side of the Equator, from East Africa to Aus- 

 tralia, and likewise around the Red Sea. They are not uncommon on parts of the 

 coasts of Ceylon, and around the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Although it has 

 been considered that the dugong of the Red Sea, and also the one found on the 



Distribution 



Vi^^^^^^^^^ 



THE DUGONG. 

 (One-thirtieth natural size.) 



Habits 



Australian coasts, are specifically distinct from the Indian dugong (Halicore dugong), 

 this is extremely doubtful. 



Except that it is a marine animal, never ascending rivers, and feed- 

 ing chiefly upon seaweed, the dugong appears to be very similar in its 

 general mode of life to the manatee. Formerly, these animals are reported to have 

 been found in large herds, comprising several hundreds of individuals, and to have 

 been so fearless of man that they would allow themselves to be touched with the 

 hand. Now, however, they are only to be met with in twos or threes, or small 

 parties, and they have become very shy and wary. Dugong fishing is practiced as a 

 regular industry on the Australian coast; the clear, limpid oil obtained from these 



