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GENUS MANATUS, Cuv. Trichechus, Lin. 



The Manatus derives its principal generic character from its 

 swimming paws ; these, different from what appears in its con- 

 geners, have four flat nails attached to the edge of the fin. The 

 tail, too, is characteristic, being oval-shaped and long, extending 

 to about one-fourth of the body. 



THE MANATEE OF THE WEST INDIES. 



PLATE XXVI. 



Manatus Americanus, Cuv. Desm. Less. 



WE are happy that, from the attention of the Duke 

 of Manchester in transmitting a specimen of this 

 animal to the Royal Society, we can present our 

 readers with a faithful likeness taken from the Phi- 

 losophical Transactions for 1821. This individual 

 was a young one, which had not attained above a 

 quarter of its full dimensions. 



It will be observed that the form of the body is 

 elongated. When fully grown, the animal attains, 

 and often surpasses, the length of twenty feet, and 

 weighs not less than three or four tons ; twelve or 

 fifteen feet are, however, its more common dimen- 

 sions. The head is conical, without any mark of 

 depression at its junction with the b0dy ; the muzzle 

 is large and fleshy, and at its upper part is semi- 

 circular, where two small semi-lunar nostrils open. 

 The upper lip is full and cleft in the middle. Two 

 tufts of stiff bristles, of considerable size, are situated 



