44? SEA-COW. MORSE. 



this circumstance, it appears adapted to watery situations ; 

 and, accordingly, we are told that it burrows in the banks 

 of rivers, and feeds on aquatic plants and animals. With 

 its general habits we are unacquainted. 



SEA-COW, OR MANATUS. 



This animal in many respects resembles the whale; 

 bringing forth its young in the water, and suckling them 

 in that element. Indeed what are called its feet are little 

 more than fins calculated for swimming; for though it 

 subsists on vegetables, it never wholly leaves the water, 

 and therefore can scarcely be called amphibious. 



It grows to an enormous size ; according to Dampier, 

 some have measured twenty-eight feet in length, and 

 weighed eight thousand pounds. The skin is of a blackish 

 colour, very tough and hard ; the eyes are small, and it 

 has only orifices for ears. The female produces but one 

 at a time ; which she grasps in her paws, and hugs to her 

 breast, in all her motions. 



The sea-cow frequents the edges of the shores of KaimV 

 schatka, and the banks of some of the large rivers of 

 South America, as well as several of the Indian bays. It 

 associates in small groups, and shows uncommon affection 

 for its mate and its young. The flesh is eaten, and is 

 thought to resemble beef; but the oil is the most valuable 

 part of its carcase. 



THE MORSE, OR ARCTIC WALRUS. 



This animal is another species of the same genus. Its 

 length from the nose to the tail is from twelve to eighteen 

 feet, and it generally measures twelve feet round in the 

 thickest part. The teeth are commonly from two to three 

 feet long, and are more esteemed even than those of the 

 elephant : they weigh about twenty pounds each. 



The morse inhabits the coasts of Spitzbergen, Nova 

 Zembla, Hudson's Bay, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and 

 the Icy Sea. In some places a hundred of them may be 

 seen together. They are extremely timid ; but, when at- 



