MANATEES AND DUGONGS 



(Sirenia) 



THESE animals on account of their aquatic habits have been 

 frequently associated with the whales, but there seems no real 

 relationship between them and it is probable that each has departed 

 from the stock of the terrestrial mammals at a different point. 

 Just what the affinities of the manatees are we have no more 

 definite knowledge than in the case of the whales, nor doe* 

 palaeontology throw any light on the question. 



The resemblance between the manatees and whales is prac- 

 tically limited to the flipper-like fore limbs, flat tail and scarcity 

 or absence of hair on the skin. The tail of our manatee, how- 

 ever, is not forked like that of the whales and the head is wholly 

 different, relatively small and provided with a series of square- 

 topped molar teeth, while some species have incisors as well. 

 Only about eight species of these curious animals are known. 



THE MANATEES 



Family Trichechida 



This family includes only the manatees. The dugongs of 

 the Old World and the peculiar Steller's sea cow which formerly 

 inhabited the north Pacific, being arranged in separate groups. 



Florida Manatee 



Trichechus latirostris (Harlan) 



Called also Sea Cow. 



Length. 9 feet. 



Description. General shape cylindrical, neck short, not much con- 

 tracted, forehead oblique, nose, as seen from the front, trian- 

 gular, lips thick, upper one clothed with bristles and capable 



