THE DUGONG. 303 



bottom of the inlets of the sea. It browses on these 

 vegetables in the same manner as a cow in a mea- 

 dow. Its flesh resembles young beef, and is very 

 delicate and palatable. Sir T. Raffles's words are 

 " It afforded much satisfaction on the table, as 

 the flesh proved to be most excellent beef." 



According to the natives of Sumatra, the Dugong 

 is never found on land, or in fresh water, but gene- 

 rally in the shallows of the sea, when the water is 

 only two or three fathoms deep. " During our short 

 possession of Singapore," says Sir Thomas, (for six 

 months,) " four of these animals were taken ; but 

 the greatest number is said to be caught during the 

 opposite, or Northern Monsoon, where the sea is 

 calmest, near the mouth of the Johore River. They 

 are usually taken by spearing, (at which the natives 

 are peculiarly dexterous,) during the night, when 

 the 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 in Sin- 

 gapore 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 consi- 

 dered by them as superior to that of the buffalo or 

 cow. The affection of the mother for its voung is 



