80 Miscellaneous. 



On the Australian Dugong (Halicore australis) . By Mr. Fairholme . 



Moreton Bay, on the east coast of Australia (lat. 27° S.), is a re- 

 gion of great interest to the zoologist. The southern end of it is 

 formed by two long islands, extending together about sixty miles, 

 within which the Bay is studded with a number of beautiful islets. 

 On the small island of St. Helena, one of those vast congregations of 

 flying foxes takes place, which I have endeavoured to describe in a 

 former paper. 



The Dugong {Halicore australis) is still found there in consi- 

 derable numbers, though I fear it is rapidly decreasing, as the chase 

 of it in whale-boats manned by natives forms one of the great 

 attractions of the Bay. 



The blacks prefer the flesh and blubber to any other food, and the 

 white people have found in its oil qualities similar to those of cod- 

 liver oil, having used it successfully in some cases of consumption 

 or debility. The native name for the Dugong is " Yungan." It is 

 about 9 or 10 feet long when full-grown, and contains from five to 

 eight gallons of oil. It feeds on a grass-like sea-weed growing on 

 the large flats of the Bay, some parts of which are exposed at low 

 water. As the tide recedes, the Dugongs retire into deeper water 

 from the feeding-grounds. The natives tell us, that before white 

 people came amongst them, and introduced boats and harpoons, they 

 used to catch " yungan " by placing large nets across the channels 

 through which they knew the animals would pass from the feeding- 

 grounds. Since the establishment of a Pilot Station at Moreton 

 Bay, the blacks have acquired great dexterity in the use of the whale- 

 boat and harpoon, and are now constantly employed in the pursuit, 

 either for themselves as food, or for Europeans, who collect the oil 

 for sale. The chase is conducted with great caution and silence. 

 The harpooner stands in the bow, and directs the steersman by the 

 movement of the hand. As the Dugong must rise at intervals to 

 blow-, he endeavours to calculate the exact spot of rishig, and launches 

 the harpoon as it reaches the surface. Having only a short rope to 

 the harpoon, the Dugong often drags the boat with considerable ve- 

 locity, but is very soon exhausted. 



Tiie blacks have a grand feast over one, stripping off the whole 

 of the flesh and blubber in one large sheet, leaving the carcass entire. 

 Thus anyone wishing to procure skeletons entire could do so by 

 going amongst the natives with a supph' of tobacco and a little flour, 

 as the Moreton Bay tribe has always been very friendly with the 

 whites. 



I regret to say that some entire skeletons which were being sent 

 to England by a friend of mine, were placed with a large collection 

 of shells in a vessel which was unfortunately burnt. 



I have no doubt that the Dugong abounds in the bays and straits 

 north of lat. 27° ; hut in none of these will the same facility be 

 offered of procuring specimens as at Moreton Bay, where the blacks 

 are so friendly, and are so well acquainted with the habits of this 

 animal. — Proc, Zool. Soe. Nov. 11, 1856. 



