AMPHIBIOUS QUADRUPEDS. 



This animal can scarcely be called amphibious, 

 as it never entirely leaves the water, only advanc- 

 ing the head out of the stream, to reach the grass 

 on the river sides. Its food is entirely vegetables ; 

 and therefore it is never 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 manatis are harmlessly seen graz- 

 ing among turtles and other crustaceous fishes, 

 neither giving nor fearing any disturbance. These 

 animals, when unmolested, keep together in large 

 companies, and surround their young ones.* 

 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 manati has no voice nor cry, for the only 

 noise it makes is by fetching its breath. Its in- 

 ternal parts somewhat resemble those of a horse ; 

 its intestines being longer, in proportion, than 

 those of any other creature, the horse only ex- 

 cepted. 



The fat of the manati, which lies under the 

 skin, when exposed to the sun has a fine smell 

 and taste, and far exceeds the fat of any sea ani- 

 mal : 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, 



* Acta Petropolitana. 



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