310 THE STELLERUS. 



This animal grows to the length of twenty-eight 

 feet. The following are the proportions of one 

 somewhat less, measured by Steller. Length from 

 nose to end of the tail, twenty-four and a half feet ; 

 from nose to setting on of the swimming paws, four 

 feet four inches ; circumference of head above the 

 nostrils, two feet seven inches ; at the neck, nearly 

 seven feet ; at shoulders, twelve ; abdomen, twenty ; 

 width of tail, six and a half feet. The weight of a 

 large one is 8000 pounds. The vertebrae are given, 

 6, 19, 35.=in all to 60. The heart of this animal, 

 as minutely described by Steller, is precisely the 

 same in shape and construction as that of the 

 Dugong already dwelt upon* 



These animals were principally seen on the shores 

 of Behring's Straits. They are also sometimes seen 

 off Kamtschatka, and in the Bay of Awatscha. 



They frequent the shallow parts of the shore, and 

 the estuaries of the rivers, where they appear in 

 great troops. The older surround the younger ap- 

 parently in the way of protection. They are so 

 tame as to suffer themselves to be handled; if 

 roughly treated they remove towards the sea, but 

 soon forget the injury and return. Sometimes they 

 appear in families near one another, each of which 

 consists of a male and female, one half grown, and 

 a cub; the families often unite and form vast 

 droves. They are most harmless and innocent in 

 their manners, and most strongly attached to one 

 another. When one is hooked, the whole herd will 

 attempt its rescue ; some will strive to overset the 



