AMPHIBIOUS QUADRUPEDS. 277 



and it will serve very well, in all cases, instead of 

 butter : any quantity may be taken inwardly with 

 safety, for it has no other effect than keeping the 

 body open. The fat of the tail is of a harder 

 consistence, and, when boiled, is more delicate 

 than the former. The lean is like beef, but more 

 red, and may be kept a long while, in the hottest 

 days, without tainting. It takes up a long time 

 in boiling ; and, when done, eats like beef. The 

 fat of the young one is like pork j the lean is like 

 veal ; and upon the whole, it is very probable that 

 this animal's flesh somewhat resembles that of the 

 turtle, since they are fed in the same element, 

 and upon the very same food. The turtle is a 

 delicacy well known among us : our luxuries are 

 not as yet sufficiently heightened to introduce 

 the manati ; which, if it could be brought over, 

 might singly suffice for a whole corporation. 



CHAPTER IX. 



ANIMALS OF THE MONKEY KIND. 



QUADRUPEDS may be considered as a numerous 

 group, terminated on every side by some that but 

 in part deserve the name. On one quarter we 

 see a tribe covered with quills, or furnished with 

 wings, that lift them among the inhabitants of 

 the air j on another, we behold a diversity clothed 



