Florida Manatee 



of much expansion. Tail flat and widened, then tapering 

 to a point, flipper rather long (i foot), eyes small, skin with 

 a few scattered hairs. Colour bluish black, somewhat paler 

 below and gray on the muzzle. 



Range. Formerly the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts of the United 

 States, now restricted to rivers and lagoons of south-eastern 

 Florida and becoming very scarce. 



The exact number of species of manatee which occur on the 

 coasts of the New World is a matter of some doubt, but it is pretty 

 certain that the Florida manatee is different from the Trichechus 

 americanus of South America. 



Unlike the whales, manatees are not lovers of the open ocean, 

 but remain close along shore, feeding in the bays and lagoons 

 on the various water plants and grasses. From the meagre accounts 

 that we have of these animals in their native haunts they seem to 

 spend their time lazily floating or wallowing about with the upper 

 part of the head generally exposed. Those kept in captivity usually 

 rest on the bottom of their tanks and rise to the surface for air 

 at periods of from two to six minutes. They accomplish this 

 "with the least perceptible movement of the tail and flapping 

 motion of the paddles, raising the upper part of the body until 

 the head reaches the surface, when the air is admitted through 

 the nostril flap valves which are closely shut after the operation."* 

 They seemed ill at ease when the water was drawn off and were 

 apparently unable to progress on land. When feeding they seemed 

 to fan the strands of grass and sea weed into the mouth by means 

 of the copious bristles which surround it. 



It is sad to contemplate the extinction of these curious beasts 

 which present so many interesting peculiarities to the naturalist, 

 and problems in evolution which he has yet to solve. Their 

 harmlessness would seem to warrant their preservation, but it 

 seems on the other hand to aid in their destruction. As fast as 

 the settlement of the country makes their haunts more accessible 

 their numbers lessen and, being tropical in their nature, the frosts 

 and cold spells which have of recent years prevailed in Florida 

 with such ruin to the orange groves have also played sad havoc 

 with the remaining small band of manatees. 



* Crane. " Proc. Zool. Soc.," London, 1880, p. 456. 



27 



