274 ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY 



Through the efforts of Dr. Grenfell, Lapland reindeer have been 

 introduced in Labrador and Newfoundland with great success, and it 

 is to be hoped that this will lead to the domestication of a part of the 

 vast herds of American reindeer there running wild in a more or less use- 

 less state. 



Sirenia. Sea Cows (Fig. 178). This order contains a small number 

 of rather large aquatic mammals belonging to the genera Manatus and 

 Dugong; the members of the former genus live along the Atlantic coasts 

 of tropical and sub-tropical America and Africa; the latter genus is 

 found along certain oriental seacoasts. 



The sea-cows are probably so named because of the cow-like shape 

 of their muzzle and because of their habit of browsing upon s'ub-aquatic 

 vegetation after the manner of cattle feeding upon grass. The Sirenia 

 are devoid of posterior appendages and the anterior limbs are modified 

 into flippers for swimming. At the posterior end of the body is a 

 bluntly pointed tail. The bones, unlike those of the somewhat similar 

 whales, are heavy, to enable the animal to sink to the bottom where it 

 feeds upon sea weeds and other aquatic plants. According to some 

 observers it never entirely leaves the water, at least in its natural 

 habitat. 



The Florida manatee was nearly exterminated until a fine of $500 

 was levied for killing it; it is now thought to be increasing in numbers. 

 It may be caught alive to fill highly paid orders for exhibition purposes. 

 The flesh of the Sirenia forms a very desirable food and in the orient 

 the dugong is considered a royal dish. It is somewhat like pork and 

 the fat is boiled out and used as we use butter. It may be dried or 

 salted and keeps well. The South American monks consider the manatee 

 and other aquatic mammals as fish, which permits their being eaten 

 during fast days when flesh would be prohibited. The skin is used 

 in making leather. The manatee is occasionally caught in the West 

 Indies and sold for food. 



Except for their comparative rarity the Sirenia would be a group 

 of considerable economic importance. 



Cetacea. Whales, Dolphins, Etc. The classification of this order 

 is variously given by different authors; by some these forms are all in- 

 cluded in one order Cetacea, with various families; by later writers two 

 orders are used Odontoceti, the toothed whales, and Mystacoceti, the 

 whalebone whales. 



