656 QUADRUPEDS. 



SECTION IV. 



Manate or Manati. 

 Trichecus manatus. Linn 



This curious quadruped is of the same genus as the morse, sea- 

 horse, or sea-cow ; and has probably given rise to the fable of mer- 

 men and mermaids. The species includes three varieties, the 

 whale-tailed, mud-tailed, and siren, or sea-ape. 



The fore -feet of the first, or whale-tailed manate, are little more 

 than pectoral fins ; they serve only for swimming, and are never 

 used for walking ; for it never goes ashore like the walrus and seal. 

 It brings forth in the water, and, like the whale, suckles its young 

 in that element. Like the whale too, it has a horizontal broad tail, 

 without even the rudiments of hind feet. It inhabits the north- 

 west coast of America, African, and American seas. 



They live perpetually in the water, and frequent the edges of the 

 shores. In calm weather they swim in great droves near the mouths 

 of rivers. In the time of flood they come so near the land, that a 

 person may stroke them with his hand. They live in families, near 

 each other; each family consists of a male, a female, a half grown 

 young one, and a very small one. The females oblige their young 

 to swim before them, while the other old ones surround and guard 

 them on all sides. The affection between male and female is very 

 great ; for if she be attacked, he will defend her to the utmost ; 

 and, if she be killed, will follow her corps to the very shore, and 

 swim some days near the place it has been landed at. They copu- 

 late in the spring; the female brings but one young one at a time, 

 and suckles it by two teats. They are extremely voracious, and 

 when filled, fall asleep on their backs. During their meals they are 

 so intent on their food, generally sea-weeds, that any one may go 

 among them, and choose which he likes best. 



Their backs and sides are generally above water ; and numbers 

 of gulls are continually perching on them, and picking out a pecu- 

 liar species of louse, with which their skins are infested. In winter 

 they are so very lean, that we may count their ribs. When struck 

 with a harpoon, it requires the united strength of thirty men to draw, 

 one of them ashore. When a manata is struck, its companions swim 

 to its asssistance ; some attempt to overturn the boat, others press 



