AMPHIBIOUS QUADRUPEDS. 



397 



found far in the open sea, but chiefly in the 

 large rivers of South America ; and often 

 above two thousand miles from the ocean. 

 It is also found in the seas near Kamtschatka, 

 and feeds upon the weeds that grow near the 

 shore. There are likewise level greens at the 

 bottom of some of the Indian bays, and there the 

 manaties are harmlessly seen grazing among 

 turtles and other crustaccous fishes, neither 

 giving nor fearing any disturbance. These 

 animals, when unmolested, keep together in 

 large companies, and surround their young 

 ones. 1 They bring forth most commonly in 

 autumn; and it is supposed they go with young 

 eighteen months, for the time of generation is 

 in spring. 



The rnanati has no voice nor cry, for the 

 only noise it makes, is by fetching its breath. 

 Its internal parts somewhat resemble those of 

 a horse ; its intestines being longer, in propor- 

 tion, than those of any other creature, the 

 horse only excepted. 



The fat of the manati, which lies under the 

 skin, when exposed to the sun, has a fine smell 



Acta Petropolitana. 



[To these amphibious quadrupeds may be added that 

 most extraordinary animal, the DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS, 

 described by Dr. Shaw in his Naturalist's Miscellany. The 

 body is depressed, and has some resemblance to that of 

 an otter in ininature; and is covered with a soft beaver- 

 like fur : but its most striking peculiarity is the strange 



and taste, and far exceeds the fat of any sea 

 animal ; it has this peculiar property, that the 

 heat of the sun will not spoil it, nor make it 

 grow rancid ; its taste is like the oil of sweet 

 almonds ; and it will serve very well, in all 

 cases, instead of butter: any quanlity may be 

 taken inwardly with safety, for it has no other 

 effect than keeping the body open. The fat 

 of the tail is of a harder consistence ; and, 

 when boiled, is more delicate than the former. 

 The lean is like beef, but more red ; and may 

 be kept a long while, in the hottest days, with- 

 out tainting. It takes up a long time in boil- 

 ing ; and, when done, eats like beef. The fat 

 of the young ones is like pork ; the lean is like 

 veal ; and, upon the whole, it is very probable 

 that this animal's flesh somewhat resembles 

 that of turtle ; since they are fed in the same 

 element, and upon the very same food. The 

 turtle is a delicacy well known among us : 

 our luxuries are not as yet sufficiently height- 

 ened to introduce the manati ; which, if it 

 could be brought over, might singly suffice for 

 a whole corporation ! 



situation of its mouth or snout, exhibiting the perfect re- 

 semblance of the beak of a duck engrafted on the head 

 of a quadruped ; and so accurate is the similitude, that 

 at first view it naturally excites the idea of some deceptive 

 preparation by -artificial means. It is a native of New 

 Holland.! 



3O* 



