Oils from Marine Mammals. 209 



river. This oil is inodorous, and gives a brilliant light. It 

 is said to be superior to any other for lighthouses, because 

 it does not coagulate even in the most intense cold, and 

 its durability renders it invaluable for greasing leather and 

 oiling machinery, which it preserves from injury by friction. 



In 1874 fish oil to the value of 86,600 was exported 

 from Canada. 



Dugong Oil. An animal oil, having medicinal pro- 

 perties, was a few years ago added to the list of commercial 

 products. It is obtained from the blubber of the dugong of 

 Australia (Halicore Australis), a native of the shores of 

 Queensland and the north-west coast of Australia. It was 

 recommended as a new therapeutic agent, and as a substi- 

 tute for cod-liver oil. The distinction between them is 

 that the dugong oil contains no iodine ; it is said, how r ever, 

 to possess all the advantages of the cod-liver oil without its 

 unpleasant smell. No large supply of this oil could, how- 

 ever, be obtained, and from having arrived frequently much 

 adulterated it lost any reputation it may have merited. 



The best known of this family is the Manatus Ameri- 

 canus, Cuv., which frequents the mouths of rivers, and 

 quiet, secluded bays and inlets, in the islands of the West 

 Indies and the coasts of Guinea and Brazil. It is said to 

 attain nearly 20 feet in length, and differs from the dugong 

 in having no canines or incisors. An old author, Dr. R. 

 Brookes, in his "Natural History," speaking of it says, 

 " The fat which lies between the cuticle and the skin, when 

 exposed to the sun, has a fine smell and taste, and far 

 exceeds the fat of any sea animal. It has this peculiar 

 property, that the heat of the sun will not spoil it, nor 

 make it grow rancid. The taste is like the oil of sweet 

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

 butter. Any quantity may be taken inwardly with safety, 



