i 3 2 DAN BEARD'S ANIMAL BOOK 



with white bristles scattered sparsely over it, was 

 disclosed. When the tank was almost dry, I could 

 get a fair view of its occupant, and found it to be 

 a large, uncouth animal, somewhat resembling a 

 seal in shape, but with the hind limbs replaced by 

 a broad, fleshy tail or caudal fin, and two flippers 

 in front corresponding to forelegs; but really the 

 animal looked more like an animated leather bag 

 than anything else. 



Bent down, with its nose upon the bottom of the 

 tank, was 



A RATHER SMALL HEAD 



with an odd, wrinkled countenance. As the huge, 

 unwieldly monster moved, its body became corru- 

 gated with large wrinkles. 



This was a Florida manatee, the first live speci- 

 men of this animal ever exhibited in New York 

 City and the accompanying drawings, I believe, 

 are the first published sketches made from a live 

 specimen of the seacow of Florida, the finned 

 "mamalia," the "woman fish" of the Spaniards, and 

 a cousin to the little "bearded man" of the Dutch. 



Not long ago, my good friend, Mr. Dimock, 

 spent six hours in the water with a twelve-foot 

 manatee, which he was endeavoring to persuade 

 to take a trip north and exhibit itself to the crowd 

 at the New York Aquarium. Mr. Dimock was 

 successful in anchoring the manatee; but while he 

 was making preparation to ship the animal north, 

 it made its escape. It will be interesting to the 

 "old" boys to know that this gentleman who could 



