THE WHALES, DOLPHINS AND MANATEES 345 



flat nails. The skin of the body can only be compared to that of 

 the elephant, not in colour alone, but also in its coarse, wrinkly 

 texture, and widely scattered, delicate, but long hairs. 



Of more or less gentle disposition, inoffensive and lethargic 

 in habit, the existing Sirenia are an order of animals inevitably 

 doomed to total extinction ere long, unless some more or less drastic 

 form of legislation can be adopted for their protection. It seems 

 sad that these most interesting and harmless animals, which in 

 the light of recent geological research may eventually prove, in 

 spite of their present-day aquatic habits and somewhat whale-like 

 appearance, to be related to the elephants and hoofed quadrupeds, 

 or Ungulata, should be allowed to become extinct. 



